CLAYTON Donaldson has issued a “let me keep playing” plea to City boss Stuart McCall.

The veteran striker claimed his first league goal of the season to cap off Saturday’s 3-1 win at Mansfield.

It was a much-needed boost to kick off the hectic schedule now facing McCall’s men.

Tomorrow’s Valley Parade clash with unbeaten Walsall is the first of eight Tuesday games in the next 10 weeks.

McCall is likely to rotate his options during such a full-on programme – but having started the last two, Donaldson is desperate to stay in the starting plans.

He said: “The boys will be going into Walsall high in confidence and that can only be good for the team.

“I want to play every game. Obviously, I’m 36 now so I’ve got to be careful.

“But I still feel fit as a fiddle and keep myself in good shape. Hopefully I do get another chance.

“When you’re winning games, you don’t feel fatigued. You want to play as often as possible.”

Donaldson, who had previously scored in the EFL Trophy against Wolves under-21s, admitted it was a big three points on Saturday following the televised loss to Harrogate.

“That was much needed after the defeat on Sky last week,” he added. “The boys were disappointed and wanted to put things right.

“Losing on TV always seems bigger and I think that got to everyone during the week. We were all down and wanted to impress and what better way to do it.

“We were all hungry and you could see we were up for it from the off. We could have had more.”

Donaldson and strike partner Lee Novak set the tone as City finally recorded a first away win since beating Morecambe last October – a wait of 371 days.

Donaldson, who got injured in that game, said: “It’s been a very long time – to break our duck early in the season is good now and hopefully we can keep picking up more points away from home.”

It was only the second time in over a year that City have scored three. After a blunder from Mansfield goalkeeper Marek Stech for the opener, the other goals both came from moves involving backheels.

Donaldson insists that is something that the players often practice.

“We do a lot of that kind of work in training so that shows. We’ve got plenty of very skilful players in the team that can do that kind of stuff.

“It’s bringing players in whatever way you can. We are a creative team.

“We’ve got ball players, that’s why we were disappointed last Monday because we didn’t show that side of us.”

Gareth Evans, Levi Sutton and Zeli Ismail are still out for tomorrow’s game.

But Reece Staunton has a chance after turning his ankle and Paudie O’Connor is available again after completing his three-game ban.

City made five changes at the weekend and McCall could be tempted to stick with the same side.

Assistant boss Kenny Black said: “We’ll come back in bright and breezy and ready for a difficult game.

“The changes that get made aren’t necessarily for loss of form or people being dropped. We’re trying to look after the whole squad and be as fair as we can.

“The more options we have and different formations we’ll play will hopefully stand us in good stead for the rest of the season.”