GRANT SMITH has spotted a vacancy that interests him and is out to convince his manager that he's the best man for the job.

The Scotsman is likely to be handed a start against Sheffield Wednesday on the left side of midfield tonight, a position he would love to make his own.

Having impressed as a second half substitute against Barnsley and with Jamie McMaster now back at Leeds United, the former Sheffield United man is looking to grasp his chance against the Owls.

First team outings have been all too rare since Smith arrived at the County Ground in the summer of 2003.

A cup game here, a play-off tie there but no real run.

Brian Howard's form on the left side of midfield effectively blocked his path but with the youngster now being groomed for a more central role Smith can see a chink of light.

He said: "It was to get on at Barnsley and it went okay.

"Hopefully I did enough in that 20 minutes. We'll have to wait and see.

"Brian Howard has moved inside now. He's taken that position now.

"He's looking exciting there and caused teams problems. Hopefully that means the wide left role is free now.

"So I just have to go out against Sheffield Wednesday and give it my best.

"The main thing though is to get a result rather than me playing really well and us getting beaten.

"A couple of wins and you're right up there in this league. It's unbelievable.

"Wednesday have been a bit inconsistent, much like ourselves, but they've got enough players in there to cause you a problem.

"They'll definitely be in the play-offs this year."

Smith and Wednesday boss Paul Sturrock are no strangers to each other.

The midfielder was set to join the Pilgrims, then managed by Sturrock, from Sheffield United in the summer of 2003 after a loan spell at Home Park but the deal eventually collapsed.

He said: "My month at Plymouth went really well and it looked I was going to sign for them."

Smith believes a row between Argyle and the council eventually cost him a move with the club not receiving money promised for a new stand by a previous administration.

He said: "Things weren't clear in terms of what money was then available for players and it didn't happen in the end.

"Paul Sturrock is a very good manager who gets the best out of players and you know what you're getting with him.

"His teams are hard to play against. It'll be nice to see him but hopefully we as a team won't give him any reason to feel happy."