Cheltenham Town video: I am 100 per cent ready - Darren Carter
DARREN Carter has declared himself "100 per cent ready" to make his first Cheltenham Town start at Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.
The former Birmingham City and West Brom midfielder has so far made substitute appearances against Aldershot and Accrington as he returns from a year-long injury lay-off.
-
Darren Carter
He played 75 minutes of yesterday's 6-3 reserve team victory over the Bailey Academy, scoring Cheltenham's final goal with his last touch.
NEW PROMOTIONS put out each calender month! Dont miss out!
Terms: Terms and conditions are when order is complete in full 5% discount will be given with this voucher!
Contact: 01452 223149
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
Boss Mark Yates had asked him to come off five minutes earlier, but Carter was keen to stay involved in a match in which his quality was clear to see.
Sam Deering also shone with a hat-trick, while Kaid Mohamed scored two as plenty of players pushed themselves into Yates' thoughts for a start at Adams Park.
Carter is one of those expected to be given the nod and the 28-year-old is raring to make his first competitive start since the end of the 2010/11 campaign.
"I am 100 per cent ready and I've told the gaffer that whenever he wants to put me in I'm all set," Carter said.
"The gaffer was signalling for me to come off, but I asked for five more minutes and it was a good call as I scored.
"He felt I needed some minutes under my belt and I totally agreed with him and the reserve match will only have benefited me."
Carter spent pre-season with Birmingham, completing two full friendly matches and suffering no ill effects from the adductor injury that ruled him out for a season.
"Everything is fine and I have had no after effects," he said.
"I had them last season and the niggles are behind me now. Since pre-season everything has been fine and I am on track.
"Yesterday was a good opportunity to get some match time and the lads did well, did it properly and worked hard."
Carter said he would be comfortable in either a deeper midfield role or in the attacking position just off front man Shaun Harrad if he is handed a place in the line-up to face Wycombe.
"I'd be happy to do either really and I have done both in my career," he said.
"I like to get into the box and score goals, but over the past few years I've played deeper too and adapted my game.
"Whatever the gaffer wants to do, I am ready for either role."
Carter has signed a contract with the Robins until January and he said he had settled in quickly with his new team mates.
"The lads have been great and so have the gaffer, Neil (Howarth) and Wes (Ian Weston)," he said.
"They do things the right way and training is good every day.
"Last Saturday (3-0 defeat by Accrington) was not a fair reflection of what we're about.
"It's a very professionally run club and the lads have a great attitude so it's a perfect fit for me."
Comments