Alex Rhodes still believes he can make an impact on City's season.

The former Brentford left winger has hardly featured since being hampered by hamstring problems early on.

Rhodes stole the limelight on the opening day with a dazzling display against Macclesfield. But he has made only four starts since - the last time was four months ago at Morecambe.

He got an hour as a substitute against Hereford in December when Tom Penford limped off but since signing an extension to his short-term contract last month, he has appeared for only five minutes.

For a player desperate to prove his worth to Stuart McCall, it would be easy to let his head drop but Rhodes is adamant that will not happen.

He said: "Of course it's frustrating because you want to be playing games but when the team's been doing quite well it's just a case of waiting and praying I will get another chance. I do speak to the gaffer regularly and he's just told me to keep plugging away because my time will come. It's hard for him to take people out when the results are going quite well.

"I've got to make sure I train hard and I'm ready for if and when I get the chance.

"But it's not just me. We've got a big squad and there is competition for every position, which is a good thing because everyone is on their toes."

The 26-year-old, snapped up by McCall in the last week of pre-season after impressing on trial, can point to the number of games still to be played as a reason for optimism.

"There's about a third of the season left so we've got plenty to play for. This league is very tight and fingers crossed we can keep moving up.

"I'm hoping I will get the chance to be part of that."

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