Mark Sanchez: "I expect to play" after injury return

New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez has revealed that he expects to start when he returns from his side's injured reserve list in week 11 of the NFL season.

The 26-year-old was put on the designated to return list as he failed to make progress in his recovery from a shoulder injury sustained in pre-season.

His place in the Jets' side was taken by Rookie Geno Smith, who has guided Rex Ryan's side to a 1-1 start to their 2013 campaign.

"I expect to play, that's just the way I am," Sanchez told ESPNNewYork.com. "I'm expecting to be the starter, I always have been."

General manager John Idzik has insisted that Sanchez remains a "very important player" to the franchise.