Notts County's two-goal hero Eli Sam fired a timely reminder to manager Ian Burchnall at the weekend.
Sam scored twice as the Magpies beat Eastleigh 2-1 in the fourth round of the FA Trophy at Meadow Lane.
The Belgian forward has seen his chances limited this season - but took full advantage of a rare opportunity to impress.
"I'm happy, I waited a long time as well," the 24-year-old told NottinghamshireLive.
"It was not always easy but every training session, I train really hard and this is what I can do. I'm happy with those two goals."
Ian Burchnall's side fell behind from an early corner in the seventh minute, with winger Harry Pritchard beating Sam Slocombe.
Sam equalised minutes later and went on to net the winner.
"I'm really happy because I train every day really hard," he added.
"And I was pushing myself even I know sometimes I was the best player in training, but I'm happy I showed everybody that I'm still alive."
Sam was captured patting the Notts badge during his celebrations, which he described as a "relief" having scored the goal.
"It was just like a relief and I'm here [message]," he said.
"I was happy as well because my wife is here so I was happy she seen me score as well. I was happy for them because the family are always far away, so I'm happy she's here to support me every day.
"Soon I expect a little girl, so I said if I score my first goal I will celebrate like this."
So far this campaign, the striker has only been involved in four league games, featuring a total of 58 minutes.
When quizzed about what he does to maintain resilience, faith and commitment to the club in order to be given an opportunity, he revealed "I'm very strong" person.
"Mentally, I'm very strong so I think maybe sometimes if you are [feeling] low, I just keep pushing myself and I know what I have to do to perform every day at higher level and this is what I think about," he said.
"I think about myself that I have a lot of qualities and I just keep pushing every day, don't let my head down, just work as hard as possible and then your chance will always come no matter what - even if it in a week or three months, just like me after a couple of months but my chance was here and today I showed everybody what I'm about."
Sam admitted it can be "really difficult" for some players to not let their head drop.
"Really difficult," he said. "I think a lot of players will be crying every day at home.
"But me, I want to work really hard every day in training and this is my strongest point as well, just my character to keep going every day."
Sam hopes that he will be called upon more regularly but admitted "I don't know," when asked where this would leave him in Burchnall's mind.
"I don't know. Just that he knows I'm there as well, if there is a backup needed, I'm there," he said.
"But I just keep pushing for myself you know, I never know where it can lead to.
"There's always opportunities everywhere and maybe if not here, somewhere else so I just keep playing, stay fit and keep doing everything I can so he [Burchnall] will see it as well."
