Freddy ready to stake his claim

The £1.5m man has been given the green light by boss Mick McCarthy to make his competitive debut in the first round Carling Cup clash with Bradford after he sat out the opening day defeat against Watford.

Although Eastwood admits he is still not in peak condition as he continues his recovery from a back injury suffered at the end of last season, the hitman is confident that he is fit enough to stake a first team claim.

"It is always nice to get on and get started," he said. "I didn't start on Saturday, but I'm probably not quite sharp enough to be playing in as big a game as that.

"Obviously my goal tonight is to try and prove that I deserve a place in the side," he said.

"I scored a few in pre-season when I wasn't 100 per cent so I can do it. And I know if I score tonight I give the manager a problem for Saturday. If I am scoring goals, as I have done in the past, then I'm sure I'll be starting games so that is all I can do."

Eastwood's lack of match sharpness has seen him fall behind Andy Keogh and Stephen Elliott in the race for a starting role - but the 22-year-old has been doing extra work in training to catch up.

"I feel a little bit behind but I think I'm getting there slowly now.

"I'm doing a bit of extra training but the sharpness really comes from scoring goals and playing in matches. That is what I need now and that is obviously why I'm starting tonight."

Eastwood has happy memories of the Carling Cup - his superb free-kick sent Manchester United tumbling out last season.