United defender Sam Byram says that he is going to take the opportunity of being back in the team with both hands.

Following a red card at Watford earlier this season Sam has had to bide his time but now he is looking to cement his place in United’s starting line-up.

Sam will be hoping to make his seventh appearance of the season on Wednesday night when Reading are the visitors to Elland Road.

“That red card came at a bad time,” said the defender. “I had just got back into the team and I thought that I was doing well and then obviously that happened.

“I think that Saturday’s game was my first game in about five weeks. I’m really happy to be back in the team and I want to do everything to keep my place.

“You are still part of the team and you want the points on the board. From a personal point of view I want to be playing and be part of that team on a matchday.

“To have the opportunity to come back into the team now, I have to take it with both hands.

“Still to this day I think that I was unfairly sent off. But that is in the past and I have to now focus on playing well.

“My disciplinary record before that isn’t too bad. I have picked up yellow cards here and there but I have never been close to being sent off.”

Following the positive result last time out at Elland Road the defender says the lads are looking forward to playing in front of a home crowd on Wednesday evening against Reading.

“We will prepare well,” added Sam. “We stayed in the hotel on Tuesday night and will train at the ground on Wednesday morning.

“So we will all get a feeling for the stadium. Then we’ll be back to the hotel to relax and prepare.

“You saw how well we played in the previous home game against Huddersfield.

“I think that is the best we have played for a while so I think the lads will be excited to play in front of a home crowd again.”