Its make or break time for Jeffers

Last updated : 06 September 2002 By FootyMAD
Jeffers has been battling Thierry Henry, Sylvain Wiltord and Dennis Bergkamp - and now Jeremie Aliadiere for a place in Arsene Wengers first-team squad.

The England under 21 striker has made only two Premiership starts for Arsenal since his transfer from Everton and is only just fit again after a bad ankle injury.

Jeffers, who continues his return to full fitness in the England under-21 side against Portugal at Boltons Reebok Stadium on Friday night, realises this season could be make-or-break for him at Highbury.

"Obviously it will be tough to get back into the team because of the quality of strikers at Arsenal," he said.

"But I knew that before I joined the club so I'm under no illusions. This is a big season for me and I just want to keep fit. If things work out at Arsenal, then they will work out. I've got to believe in my own ability or nobody else will.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge. But if I don't crack it and I have to move on somewhere else, I'll have learned a lot of things at Arsenal playing with some of the best strikers in the world.

"The lads have been a great help. You could see that when Thierry was trying to help me score against Everton in the last game of last season.

"This a chance to get back in the Under-21 set-up but it's also a chance to get back my match fitness and help me at Arsenal."