Jay Matete wants to help Wanderers bounce back with progress in the Carabao Cup as he looks to make his mark with the Whites, writes Pete Oliver.
The on-loan midfielder’s sole start so far this season came in Wanderers’ first-round win over Mansfield when he rolled home an ice-cold penalty in a shoot-out victory over the Stags.
After joining from Sunderland on the eve of the new campaign, his minutes in League One have so far been restricted to three appearances from the bench as he gets his game back up to full speed.
But Matete could start at Shrewsbury Town and, if so, is eager to seize the opportunity of valuable game-time and the chance to respond to last Saturday’s first loss of the season by advancing in the cup.
“We've got a game on Tuesday and probably a game where the lads haven't played as much football to get some minutes and impress everyone,” said Matete, who featured for 20 minutes as a second-half substitute in the Whites' 2-0 defeat at Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
“We're looking forward to it and trying to get a win in that one. We want to have a good cup run and go as far as possible and it's a brilliant opportunity for us to do that.
“Shrewsbury won't be an easy game but if we win that we're into the third round and hopefully we can get a good cup run going. Those games are good for players who want to impress the gaffer.”
Evatt made nine outfield changes to his side for Wanderers’ first-round win over Mansfield and is likely to rotate things again for the trip to the Croud Meadow.
That could therefore mean another opportunity for Matete, who is delighted to be back in the North-West with Wanderers and eager to make the most of his latest loan stint after spells at Oxford and Plymouth - where he was a League One promotion winner - over the past couple of seasons.
“We've got a lot of new boys in this squad so it will take a little bit of time to gel but we're learning every day in training,” added the former Fleetwood Town man who is one of eight summer signings for the Whites.
“The squad is really strong and there is a lot of talent in there, so once they gel we will be a really strong force.
“I'm just building myself up and trying to get myself into the team, whether that's through training or in games. Every day as an opportunity and I was grateful for the one on Saturday.
“I've enjoyed it so far. The group is really good. They've taken to me really well, there's a good togetherness in the group, and I'm looking forward to this season.”