Stevenage striker Ben Kennedy is hoping to continue his return to full fitness after scoring his first goal of the season against Grimsby Town on Saturday.

The Comet: Ben Kennedy plays a pass. Picture: Danny LooBen Kennedy plays a pass. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2017)

The 20-year-old scored Boro’s third in a 3-1 victory at the Lamex Stadium after coming on as a substitute, and hopes his injury problems are behind him.

Kennedy told the Comet: “I was sore at the end of last season with my groin but we were pushing for the play-offs so I was trying to get through it.

“I struggled over the summer so I got a few injections. Touch wood, hopefully that’s me getting back fit and building up my minutes and getting back to playing every week.

“I live and breathe football, I can’t wait to get that first start and build on it.”

The Northern Irishman is aware that getting back into the team will be no easy task due to the quality in the squad, but he believes the strength in depth will see Stevenage challenge towards the top of the table this season.

“It’s good to have competition for your place,” he said.

“When you’re starting you know you’ve got to do well, as there’s someone waiting in the wings to take your spot.

“We seem to have got an exciting squad and we’ve still got Jack King to come in, as well as Matt Godden and Chris Whelpdale to get to full fitness.

“We have a lot of big players for League Two, a lot of League One players, and the aim this year is to be up there again and we’re going the right way about it.

“Maybe that’s the difference between last year and this year.

“We couldn’t look at the bench and think ‘who are we going to bring on?’, but this year we’re looking at the bench and Harry Beautyman didn’t get on, Chris Whelpdale didn’t get on.

“They’re top players and I’m sure once they get their chance they will take it. Everyone will.”