Jordan Botaka is glad to be back in the first-team fold and says he is playing with "a lot of confidence" after coming through what the winger describes as a "very difficult period" out of the picture.

Botaka, a summer transfer deadline day arrival from Dutch side Excelsior, has found opportunities limited during his debut campaign in English football and has featured regularly for the Under-21s as a result.

The Congolese international last started a senior fixture back in October and has made just a handful of substitute appearances since, but his impressive 45-minute display in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Hull City followed up a late cameo appearance in the victory over Wolves four days earlier.

Botaka assisted Stuart Dallas for 88th-minute equaliser at the KC Stadium, with his trickery opening it up on the edge of the area to tee up the Northern Ireland international to fire his fifth goal of the season into the bottom corner.

Speaking after the draw with Hull, head coach Steve Evans said Botaka has "quickly got himself to the level where he’s right to start a game", and that is the next target for the 22-year-old, whose last start came in Uwe Rosler's final United game - a 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton.

“I’m working for it,” said Botaka. “I had a good conversation with him (Evans) last week and he just told me to stay calm and prove myself every minute that I’m on the pitch.

“That’s what I’m trying to do. He gave me credit after the game for my performance and I hope I’ll get my chance.

“I’m playing with a lot of confidence because I know what I can do.

“I said it from the beginning that I want to prove to everyone that I’m capable of making a difference on this stage.

“If I want to do that, I have to prove myself every week.

“I have to be confident because sometimes it will be very difficult to pass defenders and sometimes I will pass easily. That’s the way I want it to be.”

Reflecting on Saturday’s assist at the KC Stadium, Botaka added: “I think that’s one of my qualities – to get at people.

“When you have two or three defenders who are defending against me, there will be someone else free.

“I saw Stuart Dallas, I gave it to him and he put it behind the keeper.”

Botaka’s return to first-team action means the winger is on course for a positive end to a frustrating season. While the final two games against Charlton Athletic and Preston North End are in his immediate thoughts, making an impact when 2016/17 gets underway is also a big target.

“I’ve been through a very difficult period,” he said. “I had to play a lot of games for the Under-21s and that was very hard for me because I wanted to be playing with the first team.

“Getting myself back in the team was very, very hard. Sometimes I had second thoughts.

“But I came here for a reason and nobody told me that it would be easy. I’m a man and I’m fighting for my place in the squad. It’s going the right way now.

“I’m giving what I can give, I’m giving it my best and I hope I can be important at this stage of the season and next season as well.

“I’ve always said that I’m very happy to be here, despite the fact that I haven’t played much.

“The players have been very good with me and the supporters have as well.

“Sometimes it has been difficult, but it’s all part of the game. I’m very happy to be here and I want to be here next season as well.