Bristol Rovers' promotion campaign was joyous and memorable for all involved, but after injury forced Harvey Saunders into a bit-part role, the rapid forward is only more hungry for prominence.
The 24-year-old has starred for the Gas in pre-season, scoring four goals in his five appearances. A superb lob against Melksham Town got him up and running before following that up with a superb brace at Chippenham Town. Saunders' fourth of an eye-catching summer came as a substitute in Tuesday's victory over Stoke City at the Mem, racing onto the end of Harry Anderson's through ball and tucking away the chance with confidence.
Last season was a paradoxical one for Saunders. He was delighted to be part of a collective success, with Rovers roaring to promotion, but it was a campaign that started promisingly for the forward on a personal note, only for injury issues to intervene.
With three goals to his name by the time Rovers went to Bradford City in October, Saunders suffered a head injury when competing for an aerial duel, leading to a very awkward landing which caused ankle ligament damage. He would spend several weeks on the sidelines, and with teammates finding form and cementing places in the team, the former Fleetwood Town man could not break into the manager's XI.
But a new season has produced fresh opportunities. The Gas are yet to replace attacking players Sam Nicholson, Elliot Anderson and Luke Thomas after their departures earlier this summer and that could offer Saunders a route into the team. He has returned from his summer break with a determination to make the most of it.
"It wasn’t the best season for me last season," he said. "As a collective, it was an unbelievable season for us and it was good to be part of, but that injury at Bradford knocked me back a lot and the team hit form.
"I couldn’t complain too much, playing the way they were. The season overall for the club was unbelievable, but hopefully this season I can kick on more.
"Everyone wants to play as much as they can. It was good to be part of a great season for everyone, but you want to be part of it more, you want to be on the pitch, you want to be scoring goals, creating chances for the team.
"It’s a different feeling when you’re on that pitch, actually winning the games, but it was a great season for everyone.
"That’s the whole point of pre-season for me, playing as many minutes as possible and scoring as many goals and creating as many chances I can. Obviously, (the manager) wants goals, and that’s what I’m trying to do, coming out every time trying to score or create some goals for the lads."
Saunders played 23 times in all competitions – 11 times as a substitute – scoring twice in League Two and once in the EFL Trophy, but his last start came in the defeat at Oldham Athletic in February.
Although work remains to be done in the transfer market, there was a sense after Tuesday's win that Rovers were hitting their stride nicely before the start of the season, but they will have a longer lead-in than some of their rivals. Stoke was the final competitive game of their pre-season schedule, with an inter-squad friendly planned for Saturday's open day at the Mem.
Saunders and his teammates cannot wait for the real stuff to begin on July 30 against Forest Green Rovers.
"The gaffer just said it would be great if we could start this week," Saunders concluded. "The lads are all ready for it, everyone wants to play and it's just that waiting game now."
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