BOBBY Grant's appearance record suggests that of a first team regular.

Thirty-four outings in all is not a bad collection, but when you consider 24 of those are as substitute, the picture, and his reasons to be frustrated, become clearer.

A Nigel Adkins summer signing for Scunthorpe United, his potential was there for all to see after his introduction to football via Accrington Stanley.

But, four managers later, the 20-year-old is keen to 'draw a line' under the current campaign, which has seen him play a marginal role for the Iron during a season that will end in relegation from the Championship.

The Scouser is the first to admit he has not made the expected impact at Glanford Park.

That, he intimates, should arrive next season when United, according to Grant, will be well placed for a tilt at promotion, rather than consolidation.

It is a belief based on solid foundation, after the youngster spent four games on loan at Rochdale, scoring twice in his temporary stint.

"There is a lot of hope, I know for a fact," said Grant ahead of tomorrow's trip to Nottingham Forest in which he is expected to start in place of the ineligible Joe Garner.

"I'd back my team-mates now to beat most, if not all, of the teams in that league.

"You look at the teams that have come up and those that are coming down, it is a tough league.

"But the gaffer and his team are getting us to get the ball down and pass it, which is how football should be played.

"I have got confidence in my team-mates because Scunthorpe have been there before.

"There is a lot of hope for the lads next season – I can see us going strong.

"To be on the receiving end of relegation is not very pretty but that is football. We have got to turn it around for next season."

To read Bobby Grant's thoughts on how Ian Baraclough has stifled his Iron career, see a four-page Forest v Scunthorpe United preview in Friday's Scunthorpe Telegraph.