After playing his first 90 minutes for Scunthorpe United, Nicky Ajose hopes he has firmly forced his way into manager Alan Knill's plans.

The on-loan Peterborough front man has made eight appearances for the Iron since joining in September.

However, Saturday's FA Cup goal-less draw at AFC Wimbledon was the first time Ajose has completed a whole game – something he wants to become a more frequent occurrence.

"I've not played as much as I would have liked but the team's done well," he said.

"I think I did okay on Saturday, so hopefully I can stay in the team and this can be a good start of my season now.

"I want to play games.

"I enjoy training every day but I want to play as much as possible. When I'm not playing it's frustrating, but I can only do what I can do in training and prepare myself for when I do get my chance, like on Saturday.

"There's competition at every club in the league, it's just football.

"If you're not performing, you're out the team; if you do perform, you stay in the team. It's as simple as that.

"I love playing football and it's been difficult being out of the team but hopefully I can get my chance and stay in the team now."

Ajose accepts it is up front where United have fallen short of late, but believes it is only a matter of time before that changes.

"Quality in the final third has been lacking recently in a few games. Obviously it's disappointing but we're working hard and hopefully we're going to get there soon," said the striker.

"We're not in a great position in the league. I don't think it reflects the squad we've got here, I think we're a top six team minimum really.

"We've just not quite been there recently but the gaffer and the staff have been excellent.

"We're working hard day in, day out and it's going to click soon. When it does do, hopefully we'll rock up the league.

"I think it's just in the final third. That little bit, doing the right thing at the right time has not quite been there.

"But it's through no lack of effort or wanting to win.

"You just go through stages and hopefully this has been our bad stage and we can move on, go into a good period."