Striker welcomes competition - exclusive

Last updated : 09 February 2005 By Andy Parsons

Peacock was injured coming into campaign following a knock he picked up last season and when his injury flared up again, he came back only to be ruled out for a second time.

He still thinks he has a pivotal part to play for Wednesday this season, but he will have to wait for his chances following the good form of others.

He told Footymad: "Having the breakdown last time and coming back has put me in a better shape of mind, and now we have two new strikers in Quinn and the fact that Drew (Talbot) is coming through, there isn’t that pressure on me to come back quick.

"Quinny has made a good start, Macca’s (Steve MacLean) been great all season but I am just looking to play my reserve games.

"I got two against Walsall reserves last week, and if I build my fitness up by getting my 15-20 minutes after coming off the bench for the first team, I’m happy with that at the moment. Then possibly when I get a chance later in the season I will be fit enough to keep the shirt."

The last time Peacock spoke to Footymad, he admitted he was right physically to play, but not mentally, but have things changed now?

"I am not feeling too bad at the moment to be honest," he said. "When I came in at the start of the season I wasn’t fit and when I came back from the first injury the gaffer took me to one side and said that he asked a bit too much from me too soon because my ankle blew up again.

"It is now feeling much better than it did do in the play-offs (for Bristol City last season) now I just have to work on my fitness and my technique."

Meanwhile, Chris Brunt scored in Northern Ireland Under-21's 2-1 over Scotland Under-21's although Glenn Whelan and Joey O'Brien's Republic of Ireland Under-21 team lost 2-0 to Portugal.