Ross Hannah has waited patiently for his crack at the football big time.

The former landscape gardener had trials with both Sheffield clubs in his teens but he had just turned 25 when he finally joined the professional ranks with City.

Like many players from the “normal” world who came into the game relatively late, he is hungry to make the most of every minute. But he also understands that his first season in the ranks is laying the building blocks for the future.

Hannah played his 26th game for City at Wimbledon on Tuesday – but it was the 18th time he had come off the bench. In the four appearances since he last started against Port Vale on Valentine’s Day, the striker has been on the pitch for just over half an hour.

That’s not to say that Phil Parkinson does not see something in the former non-league hotshot he inherited from Peter Jackson. Far from it.

For the manager, Hannah remains a work in progress. By taking up the extra year’s option in his contract last week, you sense that next season will be the big one.

Hannah himself believes he is a better player from being around the club every day – and he sees his best days on the pitch still to come.

The extension to his current deal came as a timely confidence boost, particularly with so many in the dressing room still to discover their own future.

He said: “A lot of them have been in the position before (of waiting on contracts) whereas I’ve not. I’m still learning about being a pro every day.

“It did sneak in my mind a little bit but I kept going and giving everything and thankfully they’ve shown faith in me. Now I want to repay the gaffer for that.

“You speak to a lot of footballers and they don’t want any worries creeping into their heads. You want to concentrate solely on giving your best for the club and I’m no different.

“Knowing that I only had a year did unsettle me a little bit because you’re always wondering about earning another deal. Luckily for me they took up the option.

“It’s given me peace of mind but that doesn’t mean I’ll take my foot of the gas. That’s not the type of person I am.”

Parkinson admits that Hannah is a joy to train. Some players prefer the daily grind on the practice pitch to others and he tackles each session with the same intensity.

Hannah said: “I don’t feel the club have seen the best of me. I know what I’m capable of and, given the opportunity, I know what I can achieve – and I want to do that here.

“I want to do everything I can to get noticed. Whether it’s in training or coming off the bench, you have to think about doing something positively to show the gaffer you deserve a shirt.

“Even if it’s only coming on as a sub for five or ten minutes, do something to get noticed and have a good impact on the team.

“Next season is going to be a big one for me, of course it is. Having the experience of this year and learning what I have done will make me a stronger, better player.

“I want to improve all the time. I listen, I work hard, that’s how I am anyway. If you’ve got that hunger in your locker then I feel you’ve got every chance.”

With Craig Fagan suspended at Aldershot tomorrow, Hannah is sure to get some opportunity to shine. Involved or not, he is calling for City to make a fast start.

He said: “When we start games well, we often push on and see the victory through. You saw that with the way we played against Oxford last week.

“There have been a lot of changes at the club but we have picked up recently and looked better. I was always told that the team that starts the season is never the one that finishes it. That’s so true here.

“There are going to be chances for everyone with all these games at the moment. Obviously there are injuries and suspensions and you’ve got to keep yourself alert.

“You have to be sharp in training and give everything so that when the call comes, you are ready to step straight in.”