WINGER Lindon Meikle aims to play as many games as possible for Barrow AFC this season, despite a frustrating pre-season.

The 28-year-old has been sidelined for the past two weeks as a calf problem has restricted him to far less game time than he would have liked.

Meikle did warm-up alongside his AFC team-mates on Tuesday night ahead of the match with Accrington Stanley, but was not part of the squad.

But when the season proper gets under way – with Aldershot the first visitors to Holker Street next Saturday – he hopes he can be in place to feature as a regular in the Bluebirds first team.

“You want to be playing as much as you can, but I’ve played enough now to realise that playing every game isn’t going to happen,” said the experienced former York City and Mansfield Town man. “It’s rare to go through a whole season – especially with the kind of football at this level – without picking up a knock or needing time out to freshen your legs up.

“I’m aiming to play as many games as possible, but I know there are going to be times when you will be burnt out and that gives someone else a chance.”

Even if he does miss out – with Liam Hughes and Jordan Williams both having impressed when starting in pre-season and Andy Haworth having looked good when he has been on the field – Meikle does not have any issue with being a substitute.

Instead, he feels his experience means he can offer valuable advice to the likes of youngster Williams and others in the team who have not been in the position to battle for a place in the higher echelons of the Conference before.

“What I won’t do is be an idiot about it,” he said. “I will always try and help the players who are in my position.”