ARRON Davies has been frustrated with injuries so far during his Forest career.

They blighted his first campaign and, after starting the first game against Reading this season, a calf problem soon ruled him out for more than a month.

But that annoyance is nothing to what he has been feeling of late.

Then, he would watch on knowing he could play no part, he was not right physically.

But when he has been watching on from the stands of late, he has been in perfect shape, feeling sharp. The problem is, he has been out of favour.

Sometimes on the bench, sometimes not even making the 16 despite being in the squad that has travelled to games.

Paul Anderson and Garath McCleary have been ahead of him in the pecking order and Davies has simply had to bide his time.

But on Tuesday night, the 24-year-old came on for the best part of half hour in the 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United.

It was just his eighth appearance of the season, his sixth from the bench.

But now he hopes his chance is on the horizon to nail down a starting spot and make the impact he has always dreamed of since his joint move from Yeovil with Chris Cohen back in the summer of 2007.

"It is more frustrating than being injured and it is the worst thing ever," he said.

"You are not going to be happy on the bench. If you have any desire about yourself you should not be happy and I am looking to get in the team and stay in there when I get the chance.

"I spoke to the gaffer about it and it is fine, there is no problem whatsoever. It is just one of those things where good players sit on the bench but when you do get the opportunity, you have to take it. I know that.

"It was nice for me to get out there on the pitch against Sheffield United.

"It has been frustrating in the stands, but I have kept myself fit and sharp and doing extra training with the fitness coach.

"That is all you can do when you are not involved, keep yourself ticking over and sharp and when you get out on the pitch, do the business.

"Hopefully the chances will keep coming and I will get that start because I feel sharp and fit and ready.

"I look to get on the ball in the final third as a winger and the gaffer knows what I can do and it is about getting the best out of myself.

"As a winger it is a difficult position sometimes because you are in and out of the game. But I am an impact player and I believe I can set goals up and score them."

Since switching sides after tearing Forest apart in the play-off semi-final when playing for the Glovers, Davies has been restricted to just 12 starts and 18 substitute appearances in one-and-a-half seasons on the banks of the Trent.

But with a hectic schedule of games coming up during the festive period, he knows he could be called upon at any time to play a crucial part.

"We need everyone fit because there are a lot of games coming and the Christmas period can make or break your season," he said. "A couple of wins and it can all look good."

It starts with Blackpool at home today before a trip to fellow strugglers Southampton in a week's time.

Doncaster are the opponents on Boxing Day before a trip to Norwich 48 hours later, followed by the third round of the FA Cup against Manchester City.

And Davies said it is imperative that defeat to Sheffield United is put behind Forest quickly, with important points still up for grabs, to drag themselves out of the drop zone.

"You have to stay positive and nobody likes being where we are, nobody likes losing, especially at home but we have to be positive going into the Blackpool game," said the winger.

"The other teams lost the other night and it is tight down there, but other teams slipped up so we have to capitalise on it in another home game.

"The lads cannot wait for today and after the game the lads had their heads down for a couple of minutes, but the gaffer came in and said 'get your heads up, look to win Saturday' and that is what we have got to do. Everyone is looking forward to the game."

One worrying statistic shows Forest have scored first in just six of their 22 league matches. They have won three and drawn three of them.

And Davies knows they have to get ahead first more often to have a chance. "It is about taking chances and, if we can get the first goal, we know we can be a real threat and hurt teams."