Cliftonville forward Stephen Garrett insists he still has a lot to offer in the Danske Bank Premiership.
The 32-year-old is steadily returning to full fitness after having an operation on his knee during the summer.
Garrett played 24 minutes of the Reds' opening game of the season against Coleraine, coming off the bench to help Paddty McLaughlin's side earn a spirited point at the Showgrounds.
He hasn't featured since, however, being an unused substitute against Glenavon and being left out of the squad for Saturday's defeat to Crusaders.
Despite the frustrating start, Garrett insists he is working hard to forge his way back into McLaughlin's plans at Solitude.
"I had surgery on my knee during the close season and I am working my way back," Garrett said.
"It has been a bit of a mixed bag so far this season for me.
"I got 20 minutes during our opening day draw against Coleraine which was probably ahead of schedule for me.
"I was on the bench against Glenavon and didn't get on, and I wasn't in the squad against Crusaders.
"It has been frustrating, but I am obviously working my way back to full fitness so I might have to bide my time.
"You want to be playing. That's what any player wants.
"But the team comes first, and I realise I have a part to play in the squad.
"It was disappointing to lose against Crusaders but hopefully the team can bounce back against Carrick. But personally speaking, you always want to play football."
Garrett admits his summer surgery has left him playing catch-up in terms of match sharpness.
He went under the knife to repair a meniscus tear, an operation he admits he needed it for a year.
"I played all last season with the injury, so the operation was overdue," he said.
"I am 32 now, but I still feel good. We did a lot of running at training last night and I was one of the fittest there.
"I just need that sharpness back.
"I am probably four or five weeks behind the rest of the lads. I feel fit, but maybe I am not as sharp as I can be. But you can only get that by playing games, and I have played a few reserve team games.
"I just have to wait until a door opens for me and I have to be ready when that happens."
Garrett is hoping to be involved in Cliftonville's match day squad for Saturday's Premiership trip to newly-promoted Carrick Rangers.
"We play Carrick this weekend and we want to bounce back. We want to try and get back on track quickly," he added.
"It was good to get the late goal against Coleraine on the opening day. We then had a brilliant first half against Glenavon, we blew them away. But we were very disappointing against the Crues. We didn't show up.
"So we know we have to bounce back quickly, because the league is going to be so competitive.
"I am sure people will agree Linfield are the team to beat. I know they lost to Coleraine on Saturday, maybe they took their eye off the ball because of their European commitments.
"Maybe it is better if their European run continues!
"But they are the team to beat, in my opinion, and the Crues are also up there. And then there are five or six teams vying to get into the mix. Us, Ballymena Utd, Larne, Glentoran, Coleraine, Glenavon and whoever else.
"It will be really competitive."
Keep up-to-date with all the very latest news, what's on, sport and everything else in Belfast and beyond with the Belfast Live app.
Only select news that interests you by picking the topics you want to display on the app's homepage. Plus, our enhanced user experience includes live blogs, video, interactive maps and slick picture galleries. Download it now and get involved.
Click here to get it from the App Store or here for Google Play .
