O'Leary has stated that he wants to rest Whittingham but the youngster is hoping to earn a recall to the side against Everton on Saturday after news that Lee Hendrie, who he replaced at St. Andrew's in the local derby game with Birmingham on Sunday, will be sidelined for up to three weeks with a calf injury.
Whittingham said: "I'm looking to get back in. I want to be playing. Lee's injury is tough on him as he has been playing well but hopefully that gives me a chance.
"I know the manger has said that he is looking to rest me. But you ask any young player and they would say they don't feel the need to put their feet up. You just want to play all the time and that goes for me too."