DAVID Connolly is desperate to play his part in Saints’ promotion bid, but admits it could be best if he’s kept off the pitch.

The striker has been used as a late substitute in the club’s last two games – the wins at Bristol Rovers and Yeovil.

Connolly hasn’t started a game since the 3-1 home win over Exeter on Boxing Day, after suffering from shin splints.

But he is fully fit now and said he is raring to go.

Connolly is also aware, though, that if he is not needed, it probably means the team is winning.

“If I’m used, then I’m used,” he said.

“If I’m not, it’s probably a good sign and means we’re doing well.

“So you can’t be selfish.

“You want to be playing, but you want the team to do well.

“And if it’s Barny or whoever scoring goals it’s much better to be part of a winning team or squad than nicking the odd goal and finishing eighth.”

Connolly added: “I’m just there if needed, for injuries or whatever.

“You want the lads to keep winning and obviously it’s more important to be part of a winning squad.

“There’s nothing worse than someone who’s bitter on the sidelines and not playing.

“I’m definitely not one of those – I just want the team to do well.

“Obviously I want to play, but at the moment the lads have been doing well, so you can’t have any complaints.

Connolly missed nearly three months at the start of the year, as a result of his injury.

He said it would have been far less, but he had played through the pain around Christmas and made it worse.

“The last game I started was Boxing Day, when I had this injury I’d been carrying for quite a few weeks,” said Connolly, who has scored six goals in nine starts and ten sub appearances this season.

“I probably injured myself to such a degree that it’s cost me a few months out of the team.

“If I’d have just stopped I think I would have been alright.

“But when you’re playing and the team are going for things it’s pretty difficult to step out.

“I’ve been regretting it, but what can you do?

“The team are going for it and you want to play and you want to do the best you can.”

Connolly expects tonight’s game against Oldham to be another tough hurdle on Saints’ chase for a top six position.

“They’re not going for the play-offs or anything and I would say that they’re relatively safe,” he said, “The onus will be on us and it will be another difficult game, probably like Saturday.”