And he plans to have talks with manager Phil Brown to find out where he stands.

The 39-year-old – who scored the goal that clinched the Tigers a place in the top flight with the 1-0 play-off final victory over Bristol City at Wembley – had been expecting to start after finding the net in the Carling Cup clash at Swansea in midweek.

But he was left kicking his heels on the subs bench, with the Tigers eventually succumbing to a horror 5-0 defeat.

The Hull-born front man – in his second spell with the club – said: "I was gutted when I found out on Friday that I was not in, I nearly fell off my chair when he picked the team.

"I had trained hard and I thought I had done well against Swansea when I got a goal.

"I am judged on getting goals and I got one. But the gaffer went for pace against Wigan.

"What is the point of having blistering pace if you are missing chances?

"In this league, centre halves drop off and don't allow any space behind the defence for the forwards to run into. You have to do it another way.

"The manager wants to go for pace, but sometimes you have to go for that bit of quality in the final third.

"I know that when chances come along, I will take them.

"But when you are coming on for 20 minutes when 2-0 down, those chances don't come along. It is frustrating."

Windass, pictured above, is adamant that his fitness is not an issue, despite his advancing years.

He said: "Scoring goals is what I get paid to do. I don't care if I am 39, 29 or 59, I can still run around.

"I am still fitter than anyone else.

"Phil Brown knows that I want to play and until I am told differently, I will keep working hard and training hard.

"And when an opportunity comes along to score, I will take it."

The striker added: "If I wasn't gutted not to be playing, then I shouldn't be here.

"I was deeply upset on Friday, but I came in with a smile before the game."

"It took me 10 years to get back here, so I don't want to leave.

"All I want is the opportunity to help the club I love to stay in the Premier League. I will fight tooth and nail to get into this team."