Click here to listen to Michael’s full interview.

Spare a thought for Michael Bakare. For the City striker, who joined the Clarets in mid-October on hot form from Bishop’s Stortford, the club’s FA Cup run has passed him by while he’s been cup tied, so tonight’s Blue Square Bet South clash at home to Maidenhead United can’t come soon enough.

In the 13 games since he linked-up with the club Bakare has been unavailable for five, mostly due to the Clarets’ cup exploits for which he has been ineligible following his previous involvement at Stortford. In the remaining eight his outings have been largely restricted to substitute appearances due to other strikers shining.

Michael is delighted to see goals being shared around the squad but admits he’s desperate to get more under his own belt and help City to rise up the table, saying: “We’ve got a lot of good players, and competition for places, and we can definitely go up. The boys work hard all the time and the Manager wants us to work hard. There’s goals in the team from the midfield and strikers as well.”

“I was at Bishop’s Stortford last season, then Welling the season before. Leyton, Waltham Forest. I’ve played left-back, left midfield and up top since I was 19, going up through the leagues. Now I’m playing at the highest level I’ve played. I love scoring goals wherever I play and I just want to keep scoring. I’ve got 14 in 19 starts, so I want another 14, realistically, at least. That’s what I’m aiming for.”

Bakare’s new team mates, David Rainford, Greg Morgan and Ricky Modeste in midfield, all continue their recuperation from injury and are at varying levels of likeliness to play against the Magpies. Chelmsford’s opponents have slipped down the table after making a decent start and, on Saturday, they lost 1-0 at home to Dorchester Town.

Maidenhead United: Address: York Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1SF. Phone: (01628) 636314. Position Last Season: 19th in the Blue Square South. Miles from Chelmsford: 78. Approx. Journey Time: 2 hours. Nickname: The Magpies. Team Colours: Black & White. Ground Capacity: 4,500 (2,000 Covered Terracing). Seats: 400. Official Website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/maidenheadunited.

Weather Forecast: Clear. 4 degrees Celsius. Wind 13 mph.

Blue Square Bet Odds: Chelmsford City 4/11, Draw 19/5, Maidenhead United 11/2. Do you fancy a flutter? Then visit www.bluesq.com/fans where you can register to earn money for the Clarets when you open a brand new Blue Square account.

Follow the Clarets Online! Stay up-to-date with all the latest Clarets news, results, offers and information through the club’s brand new official Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/OfficialClarets or search for, and follow, ‘OfficialClarets’.

Build-Up to Kick-Off in Style! Three-course meals can be booked before every home game, with a two-course service and soft drink provided in place of a starter for midweek matches. The package includes express gate entry, access to the Don Walker Suite bar, reserved Main Stand seats, half time refreshments, a programme and the chance to meet the players after the game. The price is £35 per person, with a discount for 10 or more guests. Drinks at the bar are not included. To book, contact Bev on (01245) 290959.

Supporters Club Man of the Match: For home games, all City supporters can vote for their Man of the Match. The winner will be announced in the Don Walker Lounge where Supporters Club members are invited to congratulate the winner after the game. To register your vote, simply text the name of your chosen player, to (07570) 244929 near the end of the game (or up to 5:30pm on Saturdays), when the winner is announced.