SHARP EYEING RECALL

SHARP EYEING RECALL

United striker working hard for a return to the team...

United striker Billy Sharp admits he is keen to force a way back into the side after finding himself among the substitutes in recent weeks.

Sharp, who joined from Southampton this summer, featured off the bench in the draws with Reading and Sheffield Wednesday after starting his first seven games for the club.

The 28-year-old had got his Elland Road career off to a flying start as he netted a late winner on his debut against Middlesbrough.

But Sharp now has his sights set on a return to the starting line-up and says he will be doing everything he can to do so.

"The lads have been brilliant, they’ve helped me settle in really quickly and I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of lads," he said.

"Every professional footballer wants to play football and I haven’t played as much as I’d like to have done but I’ve just got to get my head down, work hard and when I do get back in the team, take my chance.

"It’s like that at every club, there’s always four strikers. You have to be on your game to be in the team.

"I am frustrated and the manager knows that but I’ll keep doing what I do and when I get back in the team, I’ll make sure I keep it."

Sharp was one of 15 new arrivals at the club this summer and the former Scunthorpe and Sheffield United man admits a little patience will be required as the team starts to gel.

"It’s always hard when there’s a lot of players coming in, there’s the language barrier as well but I’m sure with time the blend will get better and we can only improve as a team," he said.

VIDEO: FREEVIEW - BILLY SHARP 13.10.14

Get Adobe Flash player

The striker is also eagerly anticipating Friday night’s trip to Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United, in what be will a first visit to the New York Stadium for both himself and the club.

"I’m looking forward to that one," he added. "It’s a new stadium – I’ve not played there before.

"I know it’s tight and the crowd are on you. We’ll take a good following and it’s a night game so the atmosphere will be good."

X