Cody McDonald eyes return to Gillingham starting line-up

Gillingham striker Cody McDonald hopes to return to the starting line-up after opening his account for the season.

The 27-year-old scored his first goal since his move to Kent this summer in the 2-2 draw at Swindon on Saturday.

He told BBC Radio Kent: "If that is the role the manager wants me to do - to come on as a sub late on. Hopefully I can score a few more.

"I have got to keep pushing for a starting place and there is no better way than scoring goals."

The former Norwich trainee started Gillingham's opening two matches in League One but has been named on the bench in their last two games.

"The manager [Martin Allen] spoke to me on Friday night and told me I'd be coming on," he said.

"I want to be starting games but the other two lads [Adebayo Akinfenwa and Danny Kedwell] were great against Swindon.

"They really bullied the two centre-halves. If the lads are doing as well as they are, I can't complain."

McDonald is in his third spell at Priestfield after a successful season-long loan in 2010-11 and a two-month spell with the Gills last season.

"I didn't really have many chances in the first couple of games, which was probably down to my own performance," he said.

"All the lads are confident they will put the ball in the back of the next. It is just about getting in the right position at the right time and making it happen.

"The team comes first but it is nice to get off the mark and it's time to push on. On a personal note it is great to score."

League Two champions Gillingham are yet to win on their return to the third tier but McDonald says the side are not far from registering a first victory.

"We have to cut out the mistakes as we are starting to score a few more goals," he said.

"The higher you go up the leagues the better the quality you come up against. You can't get away with mistakes at this level of football.

"If we keep playing as we are the results will come. We are not worried yet. We are happy with where we are at the minute but we need to push on and get that win.

"It is two draws and we are unbeaten for two games. It is a start.

"We have a tough game against Bristol City next week but we are at home and we need to win those games if we want to do well in this league."