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Gillingham striker Stefan Payne ready to wait for a chance in the team

By: Luke Cawdell lcawdell@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 08:00, 01 April 2011

Gillingham striker Stefan Payne

While Cody McDonald and Adebayo Akinfenwa continue to power Gillingham towards the League 2 promotion places there has been little chance for others to shine in attack.

One of those waiting in the wings is teenage striker Stefan Payne (pictured) and, after a month in Blue Square Bet South with Braintree, he is back at Priestfield desperate to get a piece of the action.

He said: "Everyone tells me I am still young and that my time will come. It’s hard to take at first but some pros don’t make it into the first team until they are 25, 26. I am still 19 and already around the professional scene.

Payne has made just one start for the Gills and 16 substitute appearances.

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"You have to be ready to take your chance when it comes," he said. "It would mean everything to me for the chance to be in the team. I just want to get on and show what I can do."

McDonald has hit 22 goals this season, while Akinfenwa has added 10, and the pair are forming a formidable partnership. They are two strikers Payne is enjoying working alongside.

"You can’t really complain about being an understudy to those two. I would love to have both of their attributes, to be able to hold the ball up like Bayo and get in behind and finish like Cody. With that I could fit into any team.

"If I keep training hard and doing well in the reserves the manager is not going to be able to leave me out."

Do you think Payne will get a chance in the Gills side? Have your say below.

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