BEN Gladwin says that he would like to be getting more gametime now he’s settled into life a professional footballer.

The 21-year-old midfielder signed for Swindon Town from Southern League Division One Central side Marlow earlier in the season and has made six appearances from the bench and just two starts for Town.

Having played in non-league as recently as November, Gladwin admits that he’s still not up to the fitness levels of the more experienced professional players around him but has no doubts that he deserves to playing at League One level.

“I’m pleased I’ve started two games but as footballer you want to start as many games as you can. It’s not the easiest coming off the bench to impress but at the moment if that’s my role then that’s what I need to do and try and impress as much as I can,” said Gladwin.

“The first couple of months (after signing) my head was still spinning a bit; now I’ve really settled into it and I do feel like I deserve to be here now and I just want to kick on and play a few more games, and obviously get as much success for the team as we can.”

Gladwin revealed he recently spoke with Town boss Mark Cooper with regards to his development. The midfielder is expecting to improve next season as he will have done a full pre-season as a professional, something he’s never experienced before.

“His (Cooper’s) plans for me next are season are to kick on and get a really good pre-season under my belt,” he said. “Obviously I’ve never had a professional one before so that’s going to be massive for me to really get up to the right fitness levels and as sharp as everyone else.

“I don’t feel like I’m really unfit but I spoke to Mike (Peacock), the guy who does the fitness the other day, and he said my recovery time is just a little bit longer than the other boys at the moment and that won’t change until I’ve had a pre-season.”

Asked on the difference between being a professional and a part-timer Gladwin said: “Obviously it’s a way of life. With non-league you’ve got your day job and then you’re coming in and playing your football in the evening, as much as the boys are passionate about winning this is a different life completely.

“This is your job and you need to get out there and give everything on the pitch and in training every day. You need to go in and try to get yourself in the team and give it everything you’ve got.”