Pope's fitness a blessing

The 30-year-old has been out since snapping his cruciate injury last July, but began his comeback with a 45-minutes run-out for the reserves at Burton on Tuesday evening.

Now he believes he is ready to go straight into the first team as the Bucks look to get back on track in the UniBond League premier division.

Managers Rob Smith and Larry Chambers have urged caution, and look set to give Pope a full 90 minutes for the reserves next Tuesday before considering him for the first team.

But the former Crewe, Kidderminster and Halesowen man has insisted he could have played at Ilkeston today and would love to feature at home to Marine on Easter Monday.

"I want to play today and Monday, it's as simple as that," said Pope.

"Rob and Larry have to think about the players who have played all season as well though, and I'm just being a bit selfish really.

"But I've hammered Smudger (boss Smith) with texts - I must have sent him about 50 saying I'll play today and I want the No 5 shirt, but any number between two and 11 will do.

"Straight after the game on Tuesday I texted him saying: 'I'm back' and that I want to play on Friday (today). He replied saying one step at a time, and I said playing on Friday was my next step.

"I don't think they have me in mind for the Ilkeston game, but there were six games left before today and I'd love to play in five of them."

Pope also retains belief that he will be returning to a side still very much in the title shake-up, despite their terrible recent form.

"I still believe we can win the league," he added. "Football's a funny game and nobody could have seen what was going to happen to us.

"I'd never have imagined in my worst-case scenario that we could go nine games without a win.

"We've just got to make sure we stay in touch and I think one spawny win could turn it around for us."

By Chris Hudson