GIVEN the opportunity, Lee Trundle will do everything in his power to put the hard times behind him at Ashton Gate tomorrow afternoon.

A hero when he netted the dramatic extra-time goal which ensured Bristol City rather than Crystal Palace would contest the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final with Hull in May, the striker has been in the descendancy ever since.

Out of favour and struggling for form, fans' favourite Trundle has almost completely disappeared off the radar this season.

Omitted from manager Gary Johnson's first-team squad for the opening game of the Championship campaign at Blackpool last month, the 30-year-old scouser was limited to a meagre diet of Carling Cup action, appearing in ties against Peterborough and Crewe.

Finally afforded an opening by the Achilles injury which laid Steve Brooker low, Trundle was named among the substitutes for Tuesday's home game with leaders Birmingham City. And the £1 million signing from Swansea took his chance supremely well when introduced from the bench for the final quarter of an hour.

Although his 78th-minute wonder goal, struck left-footed from 40 yards, failed to save his side from defeat, it nevertheless served to remind the manager of Trundle's undoubted ability.

Having made an impact as a subsitute, Trundle now craves another chance to impress when newly-promoted Doncaster Rovers roll into BS3 this weekend.

And the mercurial forward admits he has missed the buzz of being involved on match day.

He confided: "It's really difficult when you're sitting in the stand and not even part of the squad.

"At least if you're on the bench you have a chance to get on and show what you can do. That's not possible when you're out of the 16 altogether.

"It's not something I've been used to in my career and it's not a very nice feeling. Only playing in the League Cup was hard and I missed that buzz you get on a Saturday morning before a game when you know you're going to be playing."

He added: "Hopefully, I'll be involved again this Saturday and the gaffer will give me another opportunity to get on the pitch.

"I've scored a good goal against Birmingham and shown what I can do. Now all I can do is wait and see."

One of five first team squad strikers currently on the books at Ashton Gate, the Liverpudlian remains philosophical.

He reasoned: "You need that level of competition when you're in the Championship and the lads all understand the situation

"If you're not in the team, you have to keep working hard in training, wait for your turn and then take your chance when it comes.

"I'm hoping I did that the other night."

City struggled to create clear-cut chances against Birmingham in midweek and manager Johnson is demanding more invention in and around the penalty area. Those qualities, of course, represent Trundle's stock-in-trade.

He said: "We had a lot of possession and made quite a few half chances, but didn't really do enough to hurt Birmingham.

"It's something we've talked about and worked on in training and we know what's required. We know we have to be a bit cleverer in the final third."

Trundle is looking forward to renewing acquaintance with former Ashton Gate teammate Darren Byfield on Saturday.

Although he wishes the former Aston Villa trainee well, City's flamboyant striker insists there will be no room for sentiment come 3pm tomorrow.

He said: "We all know how good a player Darren is and he's going to be a threat. He did well for us last season and finished as top scorer, so we know what to expect."