SAM Baldock says he is ready to start for Oxford United after almost a year marred by injury.
The 33-year-old striker made his long-awaited return to fitness as a late substitute in the draw at MK Dons, before getting 10 minutes off the bench during Tuesday’s home defeat to Plymouth Argyle.
Baldock made a sparkling impression when he signed for United on an initial short-term deal last February, scoring four goals in seven games.
However, he suffered a knee injury less than a month after his debut and has been forced to watch this season from the sidelines.
The former Derby County man admitted not playing again was something that had crossed his mind during his recovery from injury.
“There were definitely times where I was doubting whether that would happen again,” he said.
“I’ve been able to keep myself relatively fit and I’m chomping at the bit to get more minutes.”
Asked whether he would be ready to start if called upon for the trip to Cambridge United this weekend, Baldock said: “I’m over-optimistic a lot of the time so I’m ready when called upon, whether that’s for the start of the game, half-time or the 89th minute.
“If the gaffer wants to play me, I want to play.
“I will contribute, whether that be on the pitch or off the pitch, but I’d rather it be on the pitch.”
In the short-term, Baldock had recently been assisting from the dugout, helping fill the coaching void left by John Mousinho when he took the head coach job at Portsmouth.
However, it is on the pitch where Baldock still feels he can play an important role for a U’s side toiling in the final third this season.
He said: “It’s been really eye-opening and I thoroughly enjoyed the insight that I’ve had.
“Now it’s time for me to get back on the pitch and do what I do best, helping contribute to the team to get goals and victories.
“I just want to contribute and I think I’ve got a big part to play if my body can hold up.
“Frustration at times has probably been my downfall by pushing a little bit too hard.”
READ MORE: Karl Robinson not looking over shoulder at teams below Oxford United
The pain of not being able to play is exacerbated by the fact Baldock grew up watching the U’s at the Manor Ground as a youngster.
“There’s people that mean a hell of a lot to me at this club, you don’t realise it until you’re at a club like this and you look back at other places you’ve been at,” he said.
“You definitely have the personal affection to people within the club, it’s definitely a special place and the environment is one you want to be a part of.”
On this season, he said: “It’s a results business and we’re not getting the rub of the green, but we’re confident we can turn it around sooner rather than later.
“We have to stick together as a club, not just the dressing room, and believe that we can fight our way through together.
“The relationship we have with the staff is very close, there’s none of the losing the manager nonsense going on here.
“You can go through as many coaching methods as you want but when you’re the one on the pitch, you’ve got to look at yourself.”