Carlisle midfielder keen to face Orient

2:31pm Thursday 21st August 2008

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CARLISLE midfielder Grant Smith is aiming to force his way back into the Cumbrians team to face Leyton Orient on Saturday, writes Craig Rodhouse.

Smith has just recovered from a torn thigh muscle and is now gunning for a place in John Ward's starting XI at the weekend.

"I’m ready to be back in the squad and it would be nice to be involved on Saturday if the gaffer sees fit," Smith told the Carlisle News & Star.

"It’s been a frustrating time because I wanted to be in the team from the first game. But you’ve got to accept that players get injured now and again, and hopefully that’s me done for the season."

However, the 28-year-old doesn't expect to walk straight back into the side after seeing Paul Thirlwell and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson make excellent contribution's to the sides 100 percent start to the new season.

"The boys have been doing really well and I can’t have any complaints if the gaffer keeps it the same on Saturday," said the 28-year-old, a mainstay of United’s run-in last season after joining in January.

"But it’s a long season and hopefully I’ll get my chance before too long. Just to be on the bench and getting on and helping on Saturday would be good."

"It was a good day for the team and myself at Orient last year and it would be nice to be involved there again.”