Naismith hopes for starting spot

Steven Naismith is hoping his hat-trick heroics on Tuesday will be enough to have earned a starting place against Manchester United.

The summer recruit from Rangers has been out of competitive football since a serious knee injury back in October but he returned to action in Tony Hibbert's testimonial. He is now hoping that his first half treble was enough to prove to boss David Moyes that he is fit enough to line up against United on the opening day of the season. "My appetite has been there since the day I signed," Naismith told the Echo.. "I am coming to play in the best league in the world and with me coming back from injury and playing again I have probably enjoyed pre-season more than most players might. "Hopefully I can do enough to get in the starting XI."