SCOTT Banks has finally had chance to catch his breath after a non-stop first month at Valley Parade.

But that’s just the way the Crystal Palace winger likes it.

Having played seven games on loan already, the extended length of time on the training ground since beating Walsall has been a novelty for the 20-year-old.

As he prepares to get busy again at Tranmere tomorrow night, Banks believes he is already seeing a difference in himself.

“These are the first proper sessions really that I’ve had under the manager and not just recovery days,” he said. “It’s been a really positive start.

“I’ve been itching to play as many minutes as I have been.

“Since I’ve been here, it’s been Tuesday and Saturday every week apart from one.

“There have been a lot of games but I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s something I’ve not been used to and it’s a great learning experience.

“I’m obviously feeling the effects but I’ve been able to manage it. It’s something my body is getting used to.

“I feel confident in the way I’m going about things. It’s something that’s very different but I’m being told the right things to do and the staff have been very helpful.”

Banks was thrown straight into his debut in the Carabao Cup win over Hull - just 24 hours after his season-long loan from the Premier League had been confirmed.

“It’s probably the best start I could have had and I did well in the game as well.

“It let everybody in the club know what I’m about straight away and made it so much easier.

“After that, going into the next days at training everybody knows me and you bed into the squad. Not that it wouldn’t be easy anyway because it’s a good group.

“I’m very fortunate to be in with the group of pros that I have for my first league football in England.

“It’s a big squad now and there are a lot of good players. The quality in training is really high and we’re going to be dangerous if we can get everyone firing on all cylinders.”

The arrival of Tyreik Wright and Dion Pereira’s return on deadline day has added even further to the attacking competition for Mark Hughes.

Banks believes the extra period on the training ground, following the decision to postpone the football programme in the wake of the Queen’s death, will only benefit the newer faces.

“The time we’ve had on the training pitch helps getting everyone on the same page with how we play and what we want to do. It’s not been the worst timing at all.

“It was obviously a very big event and the way the EFL and PL decided to do it was respectful and we just move on.

“Everybody just deals with it. We’ve had that extra time on the training pitch and hopefully that will be good for us come the next fixture.”

Banks is certainly getting to grips with his first taste of League Two football.

“I’m enjoying the challenge. There’s a lot of different formations and tactics and it’s very different from academy football.

“It’s frustrating at times when some teams have sussed us out. But every game you learn something new and it’s all hopefully going into my life experience and will improve me as a player.

“I want to keep performing well and hopefully build myself a bit of a reputation.”

Being back on their travels at Prenton Park should at least spare City the prospect of facing 10 men behind the ball.

“That has been the case at home lately,” admitted Banks, “so it will be nice to play in a bit more of an open game.

“I’ve never been there and look forward to it. A lot of the lads are telling me it’s a good place to go.

“The manager there was at Dundee United after I left so I’ve heard about him. I’m sure their fans will make plenty of noise like ours - I don’t mind what they’re shouting, it’s better than hearing nothing!”