SCOTT Neilson pulled on a Grimsby Town shirt for the first time in nearly three weeks yesterday and declared: "It's great to be back."
The winger played 65 minutes for Town Reserves in their 2-2 draw with their Chesterfield at Blundell Park.
It was the loan man's first taste of action since being sent off in the second half of the Mariners' 1-0 defeat to Macclesfield at the end of October.
Because of that dismissal, the 25-year-old has been forced to sit out Town's games against Tamworth, Hyde and Woking through suspension.
Speaking to the Telegraph after his comeback game in the Reserves, Neilson says he's now set his sights on earning a return to the Mariners' first-team.
He said: "Yesterday was all about getting the rubbish out of my legs and making sure that I'm sharp for Saturday if called upon.
"The managers just told me to go out there and play my natural game and enjoy it.
"It was good to be back and it was nice to get a bit of fitness work under my belt."
Town fielded a strong side for yesterday's Reserves game against the Spireites, with seven first-team players involved.
Greg Pearson opened the scoring for the hosts before Dayle Southwell doubled his side's advantage with an incisive run and finish.
Neilson, on loan from Crawley, nearly capped a lively display when he had the ball in the net on 35 minutes – but he was denied by the offside flag
The Spireites' second-string came out with more purpose in the second half and two well-taken goals ensured that the League Two club's Reserves left Blundell Park with a hard-fought draw.
