Stoke City striker, Osaze Odemwingie, is eyeing the club’s FA Cup tie at Doncaster for his comeback from injury.
Odemwingie was crestfallen when a late injury prevented his return to the match day 18 in last week’s Capital One Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday.
But now he is only a week away from overcoming his hamstring strain and would love a crack at Darren Ferguson’s Doncaster in the third round on the weekend of January 9.
“Cup games are important when you when you don’t play often,” said Odemwingie.
“It’s where you can get more chances to play and show the manager what you can do.
“I had hoped to be involved against Sheffield Wednesday, but I did too much extra work trying to be fit for the cup game and had a little muscle injury just two days before the game.
“What made it worse is that I felt fit and was doing well.”
Odemwingie, who is in the final year of his current contract and has only started one game this term, added: “This is maybe my last season, or last but one season, in the Premier League and so I appreciate the game time more than ever.”
Stoke drew Doncaster in last night’s draw and will be playing Rovers for the first time since 1960 – and only the 15th time.
Their only previous FA Cup encounter at Doncaster’s old Belle Vue ground ended in a 1-0 defeat for Stoke in January 1930.
Doncaster, who lie 15th in League One, went into the hat after winning 3-1 at Cambridge on Saturday.