STRIKER Wes Thomas insists Cherries fans have yet to see his best in the Championship as he bides his time for a chance to lead the line.

Thomas, who has yet to find the net this season, feels he has sacrificed elements of his game to aid the club’s cause before stating his patience would not waiver in his quest for a starting slot.

The 26-year-old frontrunner hasn’t kicked-off a Championship fixture since the opening day against Charlton Athletic but has been utilised from the substitutes’ bench on nine occasions in league matches this season, more than any other Cherries player.

Despite Thomas spending the bulk of the club’s promotion-winning campaign out on loan, boss Eddie Howe displayed his faith in the nomadic front-runner when two summer approaches from Swindon Town were rejected.

And while the former Crawley hitman remains keen for more game time, Thomas reckons being settled at Dean Court will help him to rediscover his goalscoring knack.

In a candid assessment of his season so far, Thomas told the Daily Echo: “I don’t think I have really shown what I can do since I came back but competition for places has been tough.

“First and foremost, my aim is to get back into the team and once that happens I am sure people will start seeing the best in me.

“When you are at one club and know where you are going to be it helps you to focus on the football side of things.

“In terms of form, not playing can hold you back but my objective is to stay settled, force my way back into the team and start showing people what I can really do.

“When you’re in the team regularly and playing well it’s a big help to your confidence but sometimes all you can do is work hard, stay patient and wait for your opportunity to come round.”

Meanwhile Thomas, who hailed as “fantastic” the support he has been afforded since returning to Dean Court, expressed a steadfast belief that his barren spell would soon end.

On his quest for that elusive first goal of the season, he added: “When I have played I think I have given up parts of my game to prove my commitment to the team.

“I have had to do certain jobs which have not helped me as a player. I have probably been working too hard on my defensive duties rather than trying to get into good positions in front of goal.

“When you have not scored for a while, you sometimes start snatching at opportunities but it is something I am working on and I’m still confident it will turn around very soon.”