Mellor hopeful of Anfield return

Last updated : 20 January 2006 By Al Campbell
Mellor has joined Wigan on loan for the rest of the season, but the striker is hopeful of proving he is still worthy of a place in the Liverpool squad by showing his Premiership form while with the Latics.

"I am looking forward to playing for Wigan and scoring goals again. I have a lot of admiration for Paul Jewell as he was in a similar position to me when he was at Liverpool and I can learn from him," Mellor told the official site.
 
"I spoke to the manager Rafael Benitez before I came here to Wigan and he told me it would be good for me to go out on loan, score some goals and get fit. He told me I was fifth choice striker at Anfield and I would only be playing for the reserves so this is a great opportunity for me at Wigan.
 
"I don't see this move as meaning my career at Liverpool is over. I love the club and they have been really good to me. I just want to prove myself, show I can score goals at the top level and stay injury free. It's up to me to show what I can do.
 
"I have been feeling really good in training and it's the best I've felt for almost two years. Wigan are a good club and I know Stephane Henchoz well so hopefully I can get some games and score a lot of goals. I just love scoring goals and it has been frustrating being out injured for almost a year and I have missed that."

Mellor is eligible for the League Cup and could face Arsenal in the semi-final second leg at Highbury next week.