Wednesday 6 November 2013 12:52, UK
Southend midfielder Marc Laird was delighted to return to action last Friday following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The 27-year-old has missed the last 10 weeks due to knee and foot injuries but replaced Anthony Straker in the 80th minute of the 3-0 victory over Mansfield at Roots Hall. Laird told the club's official website: "It was brilliant to be back after 10 or 11 weeks out with the injuries. I missed playing so much so it was great to be back out on the pitch and even better with the team winning the game. "The initial scan on the knee said six to eight weeks but there was also an issue with my foot, but now that's all sorted I can really push on and work hard. "I've got to work really hard to get back into the team because they've been doing well and the midfielders have also been playing really well. "The knee feels fantastic. I've been doing lots of rehab with the physio and fitness coach so it's progressing well. "It was nice to get 10 minutes against Mansfield. The lads played really well and it was nice to be able to come in for 10 minutes to get back into the action."