Hamshaw ready and waiting - exclusive

Last updated : 21 March 2005 By Andy Parsons

The winger has been hit by a long string of injuries in the last few years and is looking to play a major part from now until the end of the season.

But despite being honest enough to realise that Paul Sturrock's judgement has been right so far, Wednesday's longest-serving player is looking for that one lucky break to get back into the team.

He told Footymad: "From a personal point of view I just wanted to get on the pitch against Colchester and do something but the manager’s opinion counts and you can’t dispute that since he has come to the club when you look where we are in the league but I just keep biding my time and hopefully get a game against Torquay.

"My fitness is alright at the moment and it needs a bit more work and I am more than sure that John Blackley and Kevin Summerfield will put me through the paces this week.

"Personally it’s been disappointing with all the injuries this season, especially when I am getting into the flow of playing again in pre-season, then get injured, get back in the team and play well before getting injured again. But as a footballer you have to put highs and lows behind you and I think that I am one of the unluckiest players in England at the moment – although that’s the way it goes."

With Chris Brunt on international duty this week for Northern Ireland against Poland and then England, the obvious choice to replace him would be with Hamshaw, although the Rawmarsh product will take anyone's place ideally.

He added: "I haven’t just got my eyes on Brunty's shirt, but anywhere in the team. I am not after one particular person’s shirt as I just want to play for Wednesday, wherever that is on the pitch and I have said that before in the past that I will play anywhere where the manager selects me and hopefully that will be against Torquay.

"I have shown this season that I can play on the left, right and in the middle if required so it is not a problem where I play it is just a matter or working my way back into the team."

More from Matt this week and also look out for Brunt's opinions on a big week for his country.