Cushley is keen to impress by shooting down the Tangerines

DAVID Cushley would love a crack at Dundee United today but accepts how tough a challenge it’s been this season to break into the Crusaders side.

The Crues have responded to a disappointing 3-2 league defeat at home to Glenavon by winning five game on the spin, including that impressive 5-2 victory over Linfield at Windsor Park.

This weekend their Premiership campaign takes a break but there’s no rest for the north Belfast side as they travel to Scotland this morning to face a young United side in the IRNBRU Cup (1pm).

Stephen Baxter’s men cruised to a 3-0 victory over Cove Rangers in the previous round but the Tangerines, who needed a late goal to break down Linfield’s resistance last month, will provide more formidable opposition.

Cushley, who netted in the 4-2 league win at Ards and 3-2 County Antrim Shield success at Cliftonville, knows it’s a fight every week to force his way into the side.

“Players like Paul Heatley and Gavin Whyte, along with Jordan Forsythe and Jordan Owens, have been playing so well that it’s been hard to get in the team and you have to accept that,” said the former Ballymena United ace.

“Every player wants to play but sometimes you just have to work hard and stay patient.

“The boys have been phenomenal both in training and in matches. You need to be ready to come in and do a job when required. There will always be injuries and suspensions as the season goes.

“The team has produced some really good performances recently and we have moved on from that spell when individual errors were costing us. We know what we need to do and that is work harder than every other team.

“The manager may change the team a bit as he has options but we’ll have to see. Whatever team is selected we are confident we can get a result in any game and beat anyone.

“This competition is a bit different and while it adds to the fixture schedule, it’s useful to play against full-time teams you wouldn’t normally face and test yourself.” Mission: David Cushley wants to test himself in IRN-BRU Cup