Francois Zoko patient for Carlisle United start

Zoko has made nine starts for Carlisle this season

Carlisle United striker Francois Zoko has said he will remain patient for a first-team start, despite netting two goals in two games as a substitute.

The 28-year-old Ivorian scored the equaliser in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Wycombe, to add to the previous week's last-gasp winner at Scunthorpe United.

"I accept it. I am a professional," Zoko told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"I played all the games last season. This season it is like this. It is difficult but it is football."

Zoko added: "When you go on the pitch you want to help your friends.

"I am just a competitor. I want to play more but it is football sometimes - you need big passion."

Last season Zoko made 40 starts in League One, contributing six goals to United's cause, although has been limited to nine starts this term by the form of fellow forwards Lee Miller and Rory Loy.

"The gaffer [Greg Abbott] has the idea of what he does. Sometimes he thinks it is better to continue with this team, sometimes he can do the changes.

"I don't think about this. I think about only my body and how I am feeling because I am still fit every time.

"I have a good feeling and if I start I am very happy. If I don't start it is not important. I need to keep going and try every time."