Ian Burchnall was not surprised to see Eli Sam give him some food for thought as Notts County turn their attention back to National League matters.
Sam scored both goals as the Magpies beat Eastleigh 2-1 in the fourth round of the FA Trophy at Meadow Lane at the weekend.
The Belgian forward was given a rare chance to impress as Burchnall rang the changes and his brace ensured a place in the last 16, where Notts will travel to Halifax.
That was the team's sixth win in a row and they will be hoping to continue their fine run of form when they host Barnet in the league on Friday night (7.45pm kick-off).
Burchnall's men are fourth in the table and while recent performances have made it tough for the fringe players to force their way into contention, the head coach knows he will need to utilise his squad to the full between now and the end of the season.
"I'm really happy for Eli, with his two goals," said Burchnall.
"This is what it's about. We have the 11 starting and we've had a lot of guys who have played a lot of minutes - guys like Kyle Wootton and Ruben (Rodrigues) and Matty Palmer.
"This was an opportunity for some of those other guys that I see every day working so hard to get some minutes on the pitch.
"And it also gives us an insight into what they are going to be able to offer us as the season goes on, because we need to learn about that as well.
"We don't have reserve games, 23s games, B team games, so sometimes minutes on the pitch, when we can get it for players, is valuable."
Sam has seen his chances limited so far - largely due to the form of others - but Burchnall added: "I think we saw, certainly Eli, what he can offer us when he's close to his best.
"He's not had a lot minutes but I thought he was very good - a real handful for them (Eastleigh), and well deserved his two goals.
"He gives us that (something different). When he's running towards their goal, when he's using his body and physicality, he is very difficult to play against.
"Of course, Wootts and Ruben have been excellent - we know that - and have played a lot of games, but we need to have other options coming in.
"I think he has been improving and growing in the training sessions, so we've seen that - and I wasn't surprised he did well.
"I thought he'd come in and do well, and I'm happy that he did."
Notts are six points behind league leaders Halifax, though do have two games in hand on them as they bid to maintain their promotion push.
"We've said it always, it's about trying to gain momentum and picking up points when you do so," said Burchnall.
"We're in that place now, with six wins in a row, and now we've got a really important home game against Barnet next, where we want to try to make it seven and continue that - and just keep pushing.
"You see a lot of teams around us are also in good momentum in the league, so it's so important that while we're playing well, we're getting results as well, because it's not only the results that are coming, I think our performances have been excellent."
Meanwhile, Magpies forward Tyreace Palmer has joined Northern Premier League side Basford United on loan until the end of the season.
Palmer previously spent time on loan at Melton Town, scoring six goals in as many games.
Also, a new date has been set for Notts' National League fixture at Solihull Moors.
The sides were due to meet on Saturday, February 12, but that now clashes with the fifth round of the FA Trophy.
The Magpies will now visit Solihull on Tuesday, March 8 (7.45pm kick-off).
