Reuben aims to hit rivals for six

REUBEN REID . . . still striving for full fitness since his arrival at Boundary Park.

REUBEN Reid plans to carry some timber this summer — but that doesn't mean he is planning to waste the fitness work he has put in recently.

Willow, rather than extra weight, will head to the forefront of the striker's mind come the season's end in May.

A talented batsman once on the books at Gloucestershire CCC, Reid smashed a century and three 50s for Bristol West Indians in Premier Two of the ECB West of England League in 2010, topping the batting charts with a superb average of 167.5 runs.

"As soon as the season finishes, the following Saturday I will have my whites on," admitted Reid, whose father Everton was named after legendary West Indies cricket legend Everton Weekes.

For now, though, Reid's focus is fully on football matters with Athletic.

After scoring his second goal for the club with a clinical finish in the 2-0 win at Notts County last week, the former Plymouth and Rotherham forward wants to claim and keep a starting place up front for the final six matches of the season starting with the visit of Charlton to Boundary Park tomorrow (3pm kick-off).

"It is clear to see I have been carrying extra weight from where I am normally at," said Reid, who arrived on a permanent basis from West Brom in January.

"Obviously, when you are like that you aren't as sharp as you would usually be.

"It has affected my game. I am a powerful runner when fit, but when you are not in good condition you are tired when receiving the ball and not in peak condition to do what you know you can do.

"I am in good shape now and need a run of games to get that consistency. As a striker you need a run of four or five games.

"It has been hard because of the run we have been on and the manager has had to change the team.

"When goals aren't scored, everyone looks at the strikers, but it is hard when you don't have a run of games to find your feet.

"I have been struggling with an infected toe, as well, which a lot of people have not known about.

"So I haven't really been fit so far, but I am getting there. I would like to get out on to the pitch more regularly so I can show people what I can do.”

One man playing tomorrow who Reid is aware of first-hand is Bradley Wright-Phillips, a player who has eight goals for Charlton so far.

"I know Bradley," Reid added. "He went down to Plymouth and I still go down there sometimes as it is one of my former clubs.

"He is a proven goal scorer, so is a constant threat."