Of all Ian Baraclough's praise for rookie striker Matt Godden, one anecdote of admiration stood out more than most.

Highly rated by the former Scunthorpe United boss, during what was a tough six-month stint in the Glanford Park hotseat, the 20-year-old front man drew admiring glances for supposedly being the best finisher at the club and being a talent that the Iron would nurture.

The telling line though came via Baraclough just a matter of weeks after the teenager had made his first-team debut in an entertaining Carling Cup clash with Manchester United.

"He has a knack for being in the right place at the right time and all the top strikers have got it," said the United manager, justifying the rookie's inclusion.

Now is the time for Godden to prove that really is the case.

He made seven appearances as a substitute last season, five of which came in the Championship, but openly admits his career is going stagnant at Glanford Park, despite Scunthorpe's well-publicised strike problems.

With Jordan Robertson sidelined for at least three months with a broken ankle, the Kent-born player has been bumped up the pecking order.

But he is still yet to take to the pitch since Alan Knill was appointed Iron boss at the beginning of April, despite his side's recent struggles.

And like fellow youth team graduate Niall Canavan, Godden admits he is running out of time to prove his quality outside of the training ground.

Not that it is not for the want of trying.

"Me and Niall have both turned 20 now," Godden told the Telegraph.

"We're past that bracket of 17/18 year olds where you're lucky to get out on the pitch.

"You see people now that are 20 and are established first-team players.

"That's mine and Niall's job this year, to make ourselves part of this team, so that we're always in the manager's head to start games.

"If we're not doing that, our careers are slowly, slowly slipping away. We need to be playing first-team football.

"When the old manager was in charge, around February/March time, I was really enjoying my football. My confidence was high.

"When we got into a bit of trouble down the bottom of the league, the manager said he wanted to put experience on rather than using youngsters. In my eyes that wasn't a good decision, but I got on with it."

Godden's plight, he rightly points out, has not been helped by the Football League.

Despite many running smaller squads, member clubs voted to reduce the number of matchday substitutes from seven to five, robbing youngsters like himself the chance to gain valuable experience.

It is a decision which he feels will continue to stifle the production of homegrown talent.

"I think going down to five subs is shocking if I'm honest," said the former Brigg Town loanee, who was a regular among the goals for United's reserves last term.

"If you had seven subs you can put two youngsters on the bench and that is great experience.

"That's where you get your confidence from. I got so much from it, even when I was a first-year pro.

"If the country wants players coming through into first teams, there needs to be more chances for them and having seven substitutes gave managers the chance to name youth players on the bench."

Making a name for himself is something Godden is still yet to do, for all his praise from some quarters.

Under contract with United until the summer of 2013, time – to some extent – is on his side.

But he accepts he may have to move elsewhere, on loan, if he continues to be overlooked.

"I'd consider it if I wasn't getting on the pitch here and was just wasting away," added Godden when asked about a loan switch.

"I need to play first-team football, I need some experience and I need to score some goals.

"I've got confidence in myself, but I need a chance to show what I can do.

"If you've not played league football, you'll really struggle trying to get another league club to take you on loan.

"I've always been a confident player. I feel if I come on the pitch and get a chance to score, I've got faith in my ability that I will score.

"All I need is just to be given a chance."

Questions must seriously be asked about whether that will happen at Glanford Park.