Freddie Sears is determined to do all he can to keep on catching the eye at West Ham United after some encouraging displays.
The Academy product, still only 20, impressed last week in the 1-0 reserve-team win at Liverpool and followed that up this week with a lively 70 minutes in the 3-2 friendly win at Dagenham and Redbridge that included a well-taken goal.
"It was a good game, I really enjoyed it," he said. "It was nice to play and show what I can do."
The England Under-21 striker knows he has a challenge to get past Frederic Piquionne, Victor Obinna, Carlton Cole and Benni McCarthy but is not one to shy away from the task.
"I am hoping to do what I can to get back in the first team. The manager obviously picks the team so it is up to him. You have just got to be patient and wait and see what happens. If I get a chance, I have to take it.
"My aim is to break into the first team but if not then maybe go on loan somewhere else to play games, score a couple of goals and then go from there."
Sears, who has been at the club since the age of eleven, spoke positively about the mood in the camp this season. "We've been playing well and playing some good football, even in the games we have lost.
"Obviously it takes time, there are a lot of new players coming in. I think it is really coming together and you see the last couple of games that we are getting stronger and the team is really coming together."