It can be hard work being a footballer. Yes, you get to have afternoons off… sometimes.

But when you are trying to play at a higher level than last season, and injury continues to hold you back, it is tough.

Just ask Aldershot Town striker Junior Mendes.

“I sustained some recurring muscle and neural type injuries that have kept me out of playing on and off since pre-season, it has been frustrating,” said Mendes, speaking last week.

“You are almost at match fitness — and it happens again.”

The groin injury sustained playing for the reserves against Charlton in September has been the most frustrating.

Mendes only joined The Shots in February and, after impressing on sporadic appearances in last season’s Conference and Setanta Shield triumphs (Mendes also scored in both legs of the FA Trophy semi-final loss to Ebbsfleet), he was rewarded with a new deal. But that contract is up come the end of this December.

“I couldn’t believe it when it happened against Charlton. I was feeling sharp and had done well in training. I had been working well with the physio and scored a couple of goals. It was all looking good until after my second goal that day and my other groin went.

“It is deeply frustrating. I have now had three injuries since pre-season and that is rare for me.

“It is just one of those things and I will have to keep plugging away. I knew what I had done straight away.”

Competition is fierce up front at Aldershot, and Mendes has had to watch all four other strikers enjoy good moments this season. John Grant and Marvin Morgan are in possession on the two strikers’ berths at the moment but Danny Hylton was mighty impressive before his recent red card against Exeter City and Rob Elvins turned a game against Bury.

Not forgetting Andy Sandell, the recent arrival on loan from Salisbuty City, who can play up front as well as out wide and Kirk Hudson, the wide midfielder who is as good as finisher as there is at the club. Only Mendes, possibly, is as clinical as Hudson but he has been unable to show his talents this season, much to his irritation.

“There is nothing worse for a footballer than being injured because you just want to be a part of it,” he said.

“At the moment I just have to keep my fingers crossed. You have to take the bad points with the good and I am just hopeful that the good times are just around the corner.”

Mendes did make the bench recently in the mightily impressive FA Cup first round replay win at Rotherham but he did not make it on to the pitch and, instead, Mendes saw Hudson and Morgan score the goals to set up Saturday’s second round clash at League One Millwall. Mendes was also an unused sub in this week's league victory over Lincoln City.

“Like in any game, being on the bench or being injured in the stands watching, you just want to get on and play and, being a forward, you want to be scoring and providing goals,” said Mendes.

“But it’s also good to see your team doing well, your friends being happy. It also makes for a pleasant working environment too.

“Spirits were very high after that Rotherham game. One because we had just won, beating a tough opposition and were through to the next round of the FA Cup — and two because it was a resounding victory that was thoroughly deserved.”

Success in the FA Cup is one that the team relishes.

“We can always dream of winning it,” said Mendes. “Being a football player you have to believe you can win every game that you play in and it genuinely does not matter what team I play against.

“For a club like ours, going far in a cup competition is important for the club, management, fans — and financially.

“Realistically, we’re not going to win the cup, but a cup run would be great for a feel-good factor around the club.”

With an away league win at Chester following that cup win at Rotherham, the Shots have finally put to bed their awful run of away results — seven league defeats on the bounce.

Now sitting in upper mid-table, Mendes believes that the club need to continue to pick points up against the sides at the top, if they are going to mount a realistic promotion challenge.

“Being part of the promotion last season was great, even though I only played a small part,” he said. “I’d love to be able to do it again this season with Aldershot. I’ve been involved in three League Two play-offs, reaching the final twice [for Grimsby Town and Mansfield Town] and never making that final step, so I’m hoping to go one better this time with Aldershot. Hopefully it will be fourth time lucky for me.”

Mendes has been an itinerant footballer and acknowledges that he may be on the move again soon, if he is not offering a contract extension by manager Gary Waddock.

But he still holds out hope that Waddock will look beyond the injuries and recognises his determination and talent.

“It would mean a hell of a lot to me to re-sign with Aldershot,” said Mendes. “I have a lot of respect for the people in and around the club and management.

“I feel I get on very well with all the players here too. I just now want to prove to everyone in this league what I am capable of and show what I can do for the club. It’s just a matter of getting on the field and getting a few games under my belt to get me up and running and on my way.”

To do that, Mendes must get himself fit. “At the moment, I am not quite one hundred per cent match fit but I’m not far off it,” he said, speaking last week.

“I have been training hard, as we have had a busy fixture list.

“But the weather has not helped and a few reserves games have been called off, so I’m short of match fitness. I need some matches to get me up to speed.”

With just five weeks left of his contract, time and opportunities are running out for Mendes. But his Aldershot career won’t end without one last concerted effort from the 32-year-old. With 50-odd Football League and Scottish Premier goals to his name, Mendes is a proven, if not prolific striker.

All he needs, as he showed in that reserve match against Charlton, is matches — and he will score goals. He must hope that Waddock gives him a couple of last chances – and that his body stands up to the test.