Allen: This could be my time

The 19-year-old is currently on his third pre-season camp in Austria as Graham Alexander’s men prepare to kick-off their League One campaign.

And he insists it only takes one chance to push him into contention for a starting place, despite the club’s step up in level.

The striker said: “Every footballer wants to be playing and playing for the first team. I’m no different.

“Could this be my year? Yes, why not. After all, it only takes one chance.

“Hopefully I can make that step up. I’m ready for it.”

Allen hit the headlines in Town’s first Football League season as a substitute against Northampton Town.

The then 17-year-old-s wonder-strike, though little more than a consolation for Fleetwood, was named by fans as their goal of the season.

The youngster couldn’t follow up on that success, despite being handed a chance by boss Graham Alexander, as he dropped out of contention for a starting place.

He made just one appearance in the last campaign, as a substitute in the 1-0 defeat at Mansfield Town – a day Town were heavily depleted by illness and injury.

The former Fleetwood youth team player knows he has to make such chances count from here on

“I got one shot away at Mansfield,” he said.

“If I’d found the target it might have been a different story.

“You get a goal and you’re in the picture for the next game.

“If the chance comes again I want to take it.”

The fact Allen has been included in the party for Austria is at least some comfort to the forward, who found the net in Fleetwood’s first pre-season friendly at Colwyn Bay.

He is one of four strikers in the Alps, alongside more senior colleagues Jamie Proctor, Jamille Matt and David Ball.

And Allen is certainly upbeat. “I’m glad to be here with the first team. It shows the manager has belief in me,” the teenager said.

“He’s working with me, talking to me in training, helping me get better. It’s good that he thinks I’m good enough to be here.

“I’ll just keep working and trying to show him what I can do.”

Allen is no stranger to the routine in Obertraun but admits it can be gruelling after a summer break.

“We’re up every day at 6.30, either for a run or a cycle ride.

“There are three or four sessions every day but the lads are feeling good. We can’t wait for the season to start.”