DANNY Rogers says he can’t wait be thrust into the middle of St Mirren’s battle against relegation following the shock departure of team-mate Craig Samson last week.

Samson’s decision to retire and become Sunderland’s goalkeeping coach has opened the door for Rogers who will make a belated league debut for Saints against Hearts at home this Saturday.

The former Irish under-21 international arrived on a season-long loan deal from Aberdeen in the summer but the form of Samson, as well as a knee injury, means his only outing to date was the League Cup tie against Spartans back in July.

Now he is ready to take on the mantle of becoming St Mirren’s No.1 for the rest of the season.

The 25 year-old said: “I wasn’t expecting Sammy to leave like that but it’s a great opportunity for me now and I’m looking forward to starting against Hearts on Saturday.

“I came here with a view to playing and not just sitting on the bench so I’m ready to do my bit for the team. Obviously having the knee injury didn’t help me and then Sammy was probably our best player at the start of the season so I could have no complaints at the time.

“But when I came back from injury I felt a lot sharper in training and was making a lot more saves so I thought I was pushing Sammy for a place anyway. But now he’s away it’s opened up for me and I really have to make the most if it.

“My fitness is fine and my knee is 100 per cent so there are no issues at all with that. I really wish we’d had a game last weekend as I wanted to get into it right away but Saturday will come around soon enough.

“Some goalies will go out on loan and are happy just to sit on the bench but I always wanted to play. I’m not someone who would ever be happy not playing.

“I played a few games for Aberdeen last season and thought I handled it pretty well so I know what’s expected in the Premiership. Obviously we’re at the wrong end of the table just now and I might be busier than I’ve been before but I’m ready for whatever Saturday brings.

“It feels a bit different in training this week. You have to always be ready to play but, despite what anyone says, it’s hard to keep that mentality when you know you’re probably going to start on the bench. Now that I know I’ve got a good chance of starting I’ve already got that tunnel vision looking towards the weekend.”

Rogers will be ineligible to play against parent club Aberdeen next month presenting an opening for Dean Lyness or 17 year-old David Wison to stand between the posts that day.

He added: “Deano and Div are both great lads and we train well together every day with Jamie Langfield, who I’ve obviously known for years. Whoever gets the shout against Aberdeen will do a good job I’m sure.”