Walsall midfielder Alfie Bates is hoping his performances for the reserves can help him earn a recall to the starting XI.
The midfielder has impressed in his last two appearances in the Central League, helping the Saddlers to victories over Rotherham United and Grimsby Town.
Bates was pleased with his and the team’s performance against the Mariners earlier this week and is keen to impress both Darrell Clarke and Brian Dutton to work his way back into the first team.
“I want to get back in but it’s the manager’s choice. I’ve just got to keep working hard, playing well, take it game by game and see what happens,” Bates said.
“I thought I did OK but there’s a lot of players around me who did well as well.
“The senior players did well and the young players stepped up to the plate and played really well too.”
There was a mixture of first team and youth team players involved against Grimsby on Tuesday.
Despite still being just 18-years-old, Bates took on a lot of responsibility and helped guide some of the younger players.
“I feel like I’ve got to step up and help the younger players out in any way I can. I like to speak to the younger players and make sure they’re doing the right jobs and make sure we get the win as we did.”