Crawley Town striker Harrold calls for return to winning ways against Leyton Orient

Crawley Town striker Matt Harrold made his return from injury at Grimsby on Saturday and said: 'I'm just relieved to be back involved.'
Matt Harrold in action.Matt Harrold in action.
Matt Harrold in action.

An injury to his Achilles had kept him out since December, before he was introduced as a 90th minute substitute in Reds’ 1-1 League 2 draw at The Mariners.

Harrold has attended all home matches during his spell on the sidelines and travelled with the squad to several away games, but he revealed there is no better feeling than being back involved.

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Harrold said: “It’s been a tough season for me personally. I’ve had a couple of spells out through injury and that’s never nice for any player.

“I was just relieved to be back out there - all be it for a few minutes - at Grimsby.”

With just eight games to go this season, Harrold is going to give it everything in training to try and regain a starting spot in Dermot Drummy’s team.

During his spell on the sidelines, Rhys Murphy sealed a return to the club on loan, while James Collins now has 17 league goals for the season after netting at Grimsby.

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Harrold admits it’s not going to be easy to break back into the team and added: “I think squad depth was something we struggled for last season. This time out we are strong, particularly where I like to play, so I’m going to have to work hard in training to earn my spot back in the team.”

Having not won at home since January, Reds welcome basement boys Leyton Orient on Saturday, with Harrold hoping they put right the 3-0 Checkatrade Stadium defeat at the hands of strugglers Crewe Alexandra last time out.

He said: “It’s a strange one because we started the season so well at home. We seem to be playing better away from home at the minute but there are no excuses, we must do better at home.

“Saturday presents us with an opportunity with a chance to put the recent poor run right. It’s down to us as players to make sure we get the win and get back to winning ways at home.”