Winger has been using time out of first team to his advantage

Tom Pett is hopeful of playing regular football after helping Stevenage to victory over Exeter City, writes Damion Roberts.

Saturday’s appearance was the 23-year-old winger’s first start for the club since the FA Cup match at home to Maidstone United on November 9 – and his first league start since the 2-1 win over Accrington Stanley three weeks earlier.

In the intervening weeks he has been working in the gym to build up his strength as he continues his development as a full-time footballer following his transfer from Wealdstone United in the summer, and he told the Comet that now he is back in the side he is hoping for more starts over the next few weeks.

“I spoke to Graham about [it being a while since he started a match], but I’m never going to get disheartened about it,” Pett said.

“I’m still young, it’s still early days in my pro game. I’ve been working hard on the training ground and was given my chance and I think I took it quite well.

“Hopefully over the Christmas period I will get a few games under my belt and see where that takes me.

“One thing that I’ve to work on, and Graham has spoken to me about, is my strength.

“I’ve been doing a lot of one-to-one work with Dan [Barnes, fitness coach] and work in the gym with Graham as well, and that’s been helping me.

“While I’ve been out of the team I’ve been able to put a lot of stuff into my legs and upper body, and that should help my performance.

“I think [on Saturday] I rode a few more challenges than I normally would.

“It’s part and parcel of the game; if you’re a bit slight then you’re going to get a few challenges coming your way, and it’s about how you react and keep your head and move on.”

Next up for the club is a trip to Dagenham and Redbridge on Boxing Day followed by a home match against Cambridge United on Sunday, December 28.

Boro’s record on the road has seen them fail to win in eight successive matches in all competitions away from the Lamex, an unwelcome run that Pett and his team want to halt on Friday.

“One area we’ve got to be better in is away from home,” Pett said. “At home we’re getting a few points, but away on Boxing Day we’ll try to get the win. A couple of wins will be good over the Christmas period and into the new year you’re never sure where things will take you.”