Shrewsbury Town striker Dave Hibbert has revealed his determination to force his way into the starting line-up.The 22-year-old is yet to start for Town this season, Paul Simpson preferring to pair record signing Grant Holt and season-long loanee Richard Walker in attack.
But with Walker sidelined for around three weeks with a slight hamstring strain picked up during the 1-0 win against Aldershot, Hibbert knows that he has a golden opportunity to stake his claim.
“It’s always frustrating not to start,” said Hibbert, last season’s top goalscorer with 12. “Being a young player you just want to play every week. It’s difficult watching from the sidelines.
“I felt sharp throughout pre-season - when you’re feeling good and not playing, that’s when it’s especially frustrating, but you’ve just got to keep plugging away.
“If you score then nine times out of 10 you’ll be in the team for the next game and that’s the way you’ve got to look at it. We’ve got four good strikers at the club and we’re all battling, and that’s the way it’s got to be.”
Hibbert has come on as a substitute in each of Shrewsbury’s games so far and headed the final goal in their 4-0 win against Macclesfield Town on the opening day.
Now he is hoping to forge a deadly partnership with hotshot Holt and giving Simpson a dilemma.
“Grant is a top player and has made a great start,” he added. “I thought we linked up well in pre-season and again against Aldershot when I came on, so hopefully we can build up a good partnership and score some goals.
“We’ve made a good start, but we did the same last season as well, so we know we can’t get ahead of ourselves.”
l Meanwhile, Town’s reserves entertain Sheffield Wednesday at the Prostar Stadium tonight (7pm) - with Derby trialist midfielder Matt Richards out to make an impression.
Town began their Pontin’s League central campaign with a 5-2 win at Lincoln last week, goals coming from Michael Symes (2), Darren Moss, Hibbert and Guy Madjo.
Moss and Hibbert are not involved tonight.
The line-up is: Scott Bevan, Leon Miles, Neil Ashton, Harry Hooman, James Meredith, Chris Humphrey, Matt Richards, Steve Leslie, Marc Pugh, Michael Symes, Guy Madjo.
By Sean Wozencroft
One Comment
A good performance on Saturday Dave so stick with it and hopefully you’ll get your chance. Nobody should automatically be guaranteed a place but a place depends of work rate and attitude in training. Good luck.
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