Striker Davide Somma says his main aim is making sure he is always "ready to go" for when the call comes from manager Simon Grayson.

The South African international was thrust into the spotlight during the opening months of the campaign when he netted his first Leeds goals against Millwall and bagged seven by mid-October.

But the return to fitness of summer signings Billy Paynter and Ross McCormack, coupled with a change in formation which has seen one out and out striker play in front of an attacking three, has seen Davide's recent appearances restricted to the subs bench.

Yet, he stepped off the bench to score against Scunthorpe and netted with his first touch at Portsmouth last weekend.

"Competition is pretty heavy, and whatever the gaffer choose is it, and you have to be ready to go for it if you get your chance," explained the 25-year-old.

"There's been formation changes and Billy and Ross were injured at the start of the season, but they are fit again now. I just try and be ready if I'm called in.

"I'm very happy. At the beginning of the season I said I wanted double figures so I'm happy."

Somma's ability in front of goal was demonstrated at Fratton Park when, within 60 seconds of his introduction, he converted an incisive pass from Lucianio Becchio.

"It was a great pass from Luciano," he said. "There's no thinking involved. I feel like I did at Lincoln last season, in that you get the ball and an opportunity and you look to shoot because anything can happen. Goals are what we live for as strikers."

While Dave has netted his first goals this season, fellow strikers Billy Paynter and Ross McCormack are waiting to get off the mark. Paynter almost opened his account against Scunthorpe, but his goalbound shot hit Somma and went wide.

Davide added: "I felt bad because Billy could have got his goal and I took it off him! I apologised to him, and he joked about me being a great defender."