Jonté Smith remains confident of forcing his way back into the first-team picture at Welling United after a successful loan spell at Cray Wanderers.

Smith has endured a difficult time since joining Welling in the summer, making just three substitute appearances for the Vanarama National League South side before being dispatched on loan.

He enjoyed a goal-laden spell at Wanderers in the Ryman League Division One and continued his form on his return for Welling, scoring in a 6-1 win away to Chatham Town in the Kent Reliance Senior Cup last week.

The 23-year-old was substituted at half-time against Chatham after aggravating his knee, but hopes to make a swift recovery and win the trust of Mark Goldberg, the Welling manager.

“There’s been a few ups and downs, but it was nice to go out on loan and get a few starts under my belt,” Smith said.

“I then scored in the Kent Cup, a one-sided game, which was more of a fitness run-out for those players who haven’t been getting many minutes.

“I like to think I’m always confident when I play, but when you score a few goals it helps you along.”

Smith’s shaky start to life at Park View Road has not dented his belief in front of goal and he is adamant he is good enough to become a regular starter at Welling.

He accepts, however, he may have to go out on loan again if he continues to be kept on the sidelines.

“Ideally, I’d like to be starting for Welling, but if that isn’t possible, I may have to go out on loan again, score some goals and knock on the door again,” he said.

“I definitely feel I can play in this league and make a difference. It’s just a matter of getting the opportunity and taking it when it comes.

“I haven’t spoken to the manager recently, but I’m training with the first team all of the time.

“I think I did all right in my three substitute appearances at the start of the season.

“We were chasing the game in all three matches and things were a bit hectic as we were trying to grab something late on.”

Smith will have an extra week to recover from his niggling knee injury as he is cup-tied for Welling’s FA Cup fourth-round qualifying game at home to Whitehawk on Saturday.

“It’s only a slight injury, some wear and tear, and I just want to get 100 per cent fit so I get back playing,” he said.

“I’m getting treatment and it’s just about strengthening the right areas to prevent it from happening again.”

Since being released by then Sky Bet League One side Crawley Town in 2014, Smith has played for five different teams in three different countries.

He enjoyed two productive years in Scandinavia at Kemi Kings, of Finland, and Norwegian side Floy IL before returning to England last season for Gloucester City in the National League North, scoring four goals in 11 games.

Smith then moved to Lewes, where he scored ten goals in 13 matches, but could not prevent them from being relegated from the Ryman Premier League.