Hayes failed to feature at all during the early months of the 2002–03 season and became frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities, with forwards Iwan Roberts, Paul McVeigh, David Nielsen, Alex Notman, Zema Abbey and Ian Henderson ahead of him in the pecking order.
Hayes struggled to gain a spot in the starting lineup during the 2002–03 season and became frustrated with his limited playing time, as he was surpassed by forwards Iwan Roberts, Paul McVeigh, David Nielsen, Alex Notman, Zema Abbey, and Ian Henderson in the team's pecking order.