Fleetwood Town striker has taken his opportunity this season

The academy graduate has broken into the first team this season, having mainly spent the first part of the campaign away from the club.

After three cup appearances earlier on in the season, the 22-year-old then joined Gateshead on loan in November.

However, he was then thrust into first-team action with Town at the end of January and has become a regular under Simon Grayson, scoring three times in the process.

“It’s been a mad season, being out on loan at Gateshead and then coming back,” Garner said.

“I was just happy to get an opportunity. I always thought, as soon as you get an opportunity you’ve got to take your chance, so I feel like I’ve done that mostly.

“I still feel like I have more in me to crack on again next year.

“At the start of the season, against Carlisle and Wigan, I got a bit of a taste for it and I knew I was up to the level.

“At the time, you also had Ched Evans and Paddy Madden in front of me, so it was hard to get a chance with them being experienced players in League One – but I was always playing for the U23s and doing well.

“It was just breaking through that was hard.

“When it came round to getting the run of games, I knew I was up to the challenge and I trusted myself and my abilities to go out and score a few goals.”

Town end their season at Portman Road tomorrow, a far cry from some non-league grounds Garner was used to.

He won’t let the occasion get to him though and is out to make it a double after scoring in Town’s win against Ipswich during March.

Garner said: “I’ve played at worse places this season!

“I’m not thinking too much about it. At the end of the day, it’s just another game of football.

“I’m concentrating on going there and trying to score another goal.

“We played them a few weeks ago and I thought they were a good team and moved the ball well.

“At the end of the day, it’s an end-of-season game and we’ve got to focus on ourselves and build for next season.

“We’re looking to go there and finish the season off well.

“There are a few lads out of contract here and everywhere, and there are always people watching.

“If there isn’t going to be a contract here, there could be a contract anywhere else so people are always playing for their futures.”

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