GARY ROBERTS says working hard to get back into the starting side is far more important than thinking about his long-term future at Huddersfield Town.

The 27-year-old left-foot livewire played a starring role from the bench as Tranmere were beaten 2-0 at the Galpharm last Saturday.

But he remained an unused substitute in the slick 3-0 midweek triumph at Sheffield United which put Town third in the League I standings ahead of today’s trip to fourth-placed MK Dons.

Roberts, signed from Ipswich during the summer of 2008, is out of contract at the end of the current campaign having turned down the offer of a new deal during the close-season just gone.

But he insisted: “It’s not made any difference to me. I’ll still give my all for the team.

“I’m a Huddersfield Town player and I desperately want the club to do well. The only thing that happened was I didn’t sign a contract over the summer.”

Roberts will be chasing a fifth goal of the season and 37th for the club if he gets the green light to face Karl Robinson’s men.

That’s after the Scouser’s sizzler against the side from over the Mersey seven days ago.

Having come on for the injured Danny Ward just 11 minutes in, he notched after 24, volleying in from 12 yards after Alan Lee and Tranmere defender Ian Goodison jostled for a Jack Hunt free-kick.

Roberts then played a key role in his side’s clincher, netted by Scott Arfield on 79 minutes, making himself available for a quick throw out from keeper Ian Bennett and playing in Lee Novak, who squared from the left.

“It’s good to come on and make a mark, because I want to show the manager I’m ready to start every game,” he added.

“But all the players know that the quality and depth of the squad means the manager has options, both in terms of players and tactics.

“You can’t take anything for granted, so it’s all about taking any opportunity to impress which comes your way.”