Dave Hibbert joined us at the start of the 2007/8 season and got off the mark quite quickly, scoring the first league goal at the Prostar Stadium. He ended that season as top scorer but found the following season difficult with injuries and changes in the pecking order. This season has seen an injury free Hibbert play some of the best football career, getting 8 goals in the process. I grabbed a quiet word with him at the Prostar Stadium as he recovers from an Achilles injury.

MB: You started your career as a youngster from Stafford, with current rivals Port Vale, who were your influences back then?

DH: I was there from when I was 9 until I was 19 so it was where I grew up, but I liked Man United. My hero was Cantona and then there was Martin Foyle who was a port Vale striker, obviously we had to watch the games, and Tony Naylor. Those 2 I really enjoyed watching them do well in what was a Championship team.

MB: Port Vale couldn't hold on to you though, and you moved on?

DH: What it was that I was in the first team but still on a YTS deal, and to be honest, they hadn't treated me all that well. I was doing well but they didn't seem to want to offer me anything else, and nothing was sorted. I knew that people were watching me , even in the youth team, and I had the chance to go to Preston which was too good to turn down. They don't understand that you are just trying to do better for yourself and your career, people don't appreciate that.

MB: You made a few appearances for Preston, and your first season looked quite promising, did you learn much from the time spent there?

DH: I came on a lot from the bench , and started in the F.A. Cup, I got man of the match in my only start there. It was good, it was a great learning curve my first year and then obviously disappointing in the second year. Disappointing to be looked over but I came here and I love it.

MB: You are obviously disappointed by your injury, but what is the most difficult thing about being injured?

DH: It's horrible, just everything , everything about it. You cant have any influence on the game, you want to be out there and doing your best for the lads, the team and the manager. But you cant, there is nothing you can do, all you can do is get behind the lads and encourage them as best you can before they go out, and that's all you can do.

MB: A lot of people have said you have improved this season , do you think that is the case?

DH: It's a funny one as I feel the hardest part is getting a run and keeping fit. Last season I was never really there or there abouts with injuries and what have you. I didn't really have the opportunity that I wanted, but I have had it this time and I have shown people what I can do.

MB: So for the greater part, it is just staying injury free that has helped?

DH: Definitely yes, but working hard as well, I work hard on my game every day. You can never think,"oh I am in the team now", you have to keep working , improving and want to be in the team, and that's what I am going to do.

MB: Does being out for a while make you want to make the most of your chances?

DH: It makes you realize how lucky you are to do what you do. When you are out for a long time, you want to prove what you are capable of to people. I feel I have done that so far, and I am desperate to get back to it again to make sure I carry it on.

MB: You have eight goals this season, did you set yourself a target at the start?

DH: My target for this year was just to prove to everybody here, what I am about. I knew the goals would come if I got a run, they have so far and I believe if I carry on playing there will be more to come. I haven't really got a target that I have said to people, obviously you have a target in your own head but I keep that to myself, not even my Mrs knows.

MB: I spoke to Kelvin Langmead last week, and he mentioned the banter you had about hairlines. He said he thought you were receding more than he was, would you like to comment?

DH: He's older than me, a year older, and he's been going for a few years. Mine seems to be going from the front, but Kelv's is going from the back and the front and it's getting thin all over.

MB: So you refute that as groundless slander?

DH: Well yes, but to be honest we just have loads of banter about it, it's a good laugh.

MB: Although you aren't involved, what are your thoughts about this weekends game against Aldershot?

DH: We need to get back to winning ways, it's as simple as that. Its good to be at home against Aldershot, I hope the fans will be behind us. It's a shame I am not playing as I would have liked to play against my old mate Herdy, I've spoken to him a few times this week, it would have been nice to get one over him to be honest.

They're just above us at the minute, but a win and we go above them, so it's a great opportunity for us and we have got to make sure we capitalize on it.

Marcus Braddock