Leighton McIntosh insists he will continue trying his hardest to force his way into the Cove Rangers team.
McIntosh admits it has been frustrating not being able to nail down a starting spot at the Balmoral Stadium but this weekend may present him with an opportunity.
Captain Mitch Megginson picked up his sixth league booking of the season against Queen’s Park and will sit out this weekend’s clash with Morton through suspension.
In last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Arbroath, McIntosh came off the bench to help Cove grab a late point as he played a part in the equalising goal from Blair Yule.
The only hope now is that he has done enough to impress manager Jim McIntyre for a place in the starting 11.
“It’s always frustrating being in and out,” said McIntosh. “You understand sometimes that happens when a manager comes in and he’s getting to know the players.
“All I can do is try as hard as I can and when I play, impress the manager. That’s all you can really do and see where you go from there.
“When you come off the bench and make an impact, you’re hoping you start more games but sometimes that’s not been the case.
“All I can do is try my hardest every time I play and whether the manager picks me or not is his shout.”
McIntosh’s recent spell out of the team was enforced through suspension, with the forward sent off late on for clashing with Caley Thistle defender Zak Delaney in a 1-0 defeat.
Delaney later admitted he exaggerated contact from McIntosh, but the Cove man had to serve a two-game ban.
“It was more of the reaction that went against me,” said McIntosh. “I didn’t mean any malice by it and anyone who knows me knows I wouldn’t do something like that.
“I’m sure the other player will admit he made a meal of it, too.”
Morton come to the north-east as the Championship’s in-form side, however, Cove have picked up impressive recent results at the Balmoral Stadium against Dundee and Queen’s Park.
“It’s a tough place to come and the boys are more used to that pitch and the conditions,” added McIntosh. “It’s always been a place we felt we could get a result, no matter who comes up.
“If you want to progress, your home form has to be solid and we need to keep doing that.
“We’ve learned a lot over the last few weeks in terms of game management and trying to minimise mistakes – at this level you get punished for them.
“If we can do that, we know we’ll always create chances.”