Uche Ikpeazu admits he has been "frustrated" not to make his Watford debut but is determined to use his loan spell with Crewe Alexandra to prove he is good enough to play for the Hornets next season.

The powerful striker made his professional debut as a substitute in Crewe's 2-1 home defeat to Leyton Orient on Saturday and showed plenty of potential against the League 1 leaders.

Ikpeazu, who is on loan from Watford until the end of the season, insists he will make the most of his opportunity.

The 18-year-old said: "At Watford I've worked hard and think I've been a bit unlucky not to get my opportunity there. But that's cool. I'm going to come here, work hard and prove that I'm good enough so when I go back to Watford I can get my opportunity. We'll have to wait and see.

"It hasn't been frustrating [at Watford on the whole]. I'm with the first-team on a regular basis and I'm 18 years old. I'm getting coaching so it's good but I've been frustrated that I haven't made my debut. Then again I'm young and we've got experienced pros there, so sometimes you've got to take a step back and be patient. I'm going to keep working hard and keep believing and wait and see."

Crewe wanted to bring in Ikpeazu towards the end of last year but the Hornets did not want him to leave at that time. But the Railwaymen came back in for him and the teenager was pleased with his debut, when he nearly scored from a deflected effort, and with the reception from Crewe's supporters.

Ikpeazu said: "I thought I did well. It was a disappointing result obviously, but I thought I worked hard and was unlucky not to score, especially with the deflection which went past the post. But I was pleased with my overall individual performance but at the end of the day it's a disappointing result. I thought I worked hard and hopefully will have many more experiences like this.

"When I came on the fans buzzed off me. I had a good couple of touches when I first came on which got the fans a bit excited, so hopefully I can keep working on my game and keep improving."

The striker, who missed Tuesday night's win over MK Dons with an ankle injury, continued: "I really want to come here and score goals. I'm hungry to score goals but we'll have to wait and see. I came on today (Saturday) and worked hard and maybe I can add to what we've got in terms of goalscoring and performance wise."

Ikpeazu was the top scorer in the country at academy level last season after scoring 28 goals in as many games for Reading. But the striker has not had a taste of first-team football prior to the Crewe move and thinks the switch will benefit his career.

The 6ft 3in forward said: "I want to prove myself to everyone who thinks I'm just bigger than everyone else. The loan move is also good for me as an individual to prove I can play at first-team level against grown men so I can go back to Watford and hopefully prove to them that I'm more than good enough if I get my chance.

"I'm here to help Crewe climb up the table and will do all I can even if it's by an assist, working hard or scoring goals. I will do everything I can."