Stevenage forward Adam Marriott hopes to return to the first team squad for the trip to Carlisle United on Saturday.

The 24-year-old former Cambridge United frontman has made just two appearances from the bench this season due to a catalogue of injuries, but got 90 minutes in a behind closed doors friendly with Crystal Palace on Tuesday that finished 1-1.

“I came through the game alright,” he said.

“I thought I was getting 45 but a lack of substitutes meant I played 90, but I was quite happy with that, it’s what I needed.

“I had a couple weeks of training ahead of that so hopefully I’ll be involved on Saturday.”

Speaking exclusively to the Comet, after managing a junior side at the club’s half-term soccer camp, he added: “It’s always fun to come and see the little kids, when we get asked, we love doing it, it’s good fun.

“They sometimes come and watch us on a Saturday so it’s nice to come and see them and see what they get up to during the week.

“Stevenage is quite a community based club, we do quite a few things in the community, we visit schools and different things and we enjoy it and seeing smiles on faces.”