TALL midfielder Ricky Wellard is striving for more gametime and hopes his first start in two months against Gateshead caught the boss’s eye as Salisbury City head into the league’s home straight.

Wellard, 25, pictured, has been patiently biding his time for a slot in Mikey Harris’s starting line-up and Saturday saw him get his first chance since Kidderminster Harriers on January 11.

“Being full-time, you can do as much in training as you like, but not starting a game for two months does make it difficult but you have to be professional when you aren’t playing,” the 6ft 4inch player told the Journal.

“I’ve been sitting on the bench, being patient, for a long time, which has made it difficult. I’m just glad to get 90 minutes under my belt and hopefully that will help going into the Wrexham match.

“I want to start as many games as possible. Hopefully my performances will improve with more minutes – that’s the same for every player.

“Hopefully, I’m in the boss’s plans for Saturday and we’ll go there with confidence and it would be nice to play a part in it.

“It’s difficult not starting, but when you get your chance to start it’s important you take it.”

There are nine games left of city’s maiden season back in The Skrill Premier after a three year exile and the season could end with Salisbury back in the top five – providing they make a substantial improvement on their shocking away form.

They seek victory in north Wales, a destination where Wellard, bidding for a second start in a row, says they have nothing to fear.

“As a group we need to improve on the road,” Wellard continued.

“Our home form speaks for itself and the more points we can pick up away will put us in good stead for making the play-offs. Those games will determine whether we make the top five or not.

“We can definitely still make the play-offs as there’s a lot of belief in the dressing room.

“There’s nothing we’ve seen so far in this league, apart from Luton Town, to be frightened of. We have a lot of confidence and think we can do it.”

Follow @Saljournalsport for updates from the Racecourse Ground.