Clinton Morrison insists he is desperate to start against Dagenham next weekend despite lacking the pre-season fitness of his Sheffield Wednesday team-mates.
The striker, who completed a summer switch from Coventry, made his Owls debut against Doncaster on Saturday when he came on for the final half hour and could easily have got off to a goalscoring start.
His contribution over the summer has been limited due to a minor groin and back problem although he is now back in training and playing catch up.
And ahead of the season opener at Hillsborough, the 30-year-old told Wednesday Player: "I`m obviously a few weeks behind the rest of the lads but that`s not going to stop me going to the gaffer and saying I want to start on Saturday because I know if I get half a chance I can put it in the net.
"Everyone wants to be in with a shout because Saturday is what counts now."
Source: PA