MATT RAWLINS is relishing getting his chance to lead the line for Chippenham Town this season and hopes to score the goals that could keep him in the striker's jersey.

Rawlins started his career as a forward and spent five years at Arsenal as a schoolboy, apprentice and then as a professional for a year. The 27-year-old was top goal-scorer at Gloucester City before he decided to join Chippenham in 2001. Two seasons ago Rawlins was moved out to the right-wing for Chippenham.

But with player-assistant manager Adie Mings ruled out for the start of this season through injury, and a lack of sufficient cover for forwards Charlie Griffin, Martin Paul and Dean Birkby, manager Tommy Saunders has handed Rawlins the chance to prove his worth up front again.

"The manager originally asked me to play on the wing as a favour," Rawlins said.

"I did get a couple of games up front last season, but basically two years later I was still on the wing.

"We will have to see how it goes in pre-season, but hopefully I can get a couple of goals, get some confidence and start scoring regularly."

Rawlins hopes the likes of Mings, Griffin and Paul will then be competing to partner him in attack.

Manager Saunders confirmed Rawlins would get his chance up front at some stage of the pre-season schedule. "He will start in midfield against Calne Town on Friday but with Martin Paul and Charlie Griffin our only fit strikers with Dean Birkby on trial, we will need Matt as cover and he will get his chance.

"We've got a lot of pre-season friendlies coming up and he will definitely get three games up front."