Lee Hughes returned from a lengthy lay-off with a bang by netting in the 2-2 draw against Shrewsbury Town.
The frontman had originally been set to miss three games following a retrospective suspension for an incident in the Glanford Park draw with Scunthorpe United last month.
However, the 36-year-old later came down with the Norovirus, which had looked certain to keep him out of action until the New Year.
On Wednesday afternoon, Hughes made a surprise return against the Shrews and marked his comeback in the only way he knows how – with a goal.
“I didn’t expect it myself to be at the game, because I’ve been ill for about a month now,” he said.
“I spoke to a few people and I feel a lot better in myself, so I phoned the manager the other day and said ‘I feel a lot better’.
“I trained for the first time in a month on Christmas Eve and then started on Boxing Day.
“I didn’t feel too bad in the game, in the second half I was a bit leggy, but I just enjoyed being back.”
Hughes has been constantly linked with a move away from Meadow Lane but the striker is eager to stay with the club.
“I love it here and I don’t want to go – but when you’re not in the team, for a player like me, I’m not happy, because I just want to play week in, week out,” he continued.
“I know the manager’s had the team playing well and I couldn’t argue, but that’s why I wanted to go out and play football somewhere.
“I enjoy playing and when you’re sitting on the bench you’re not going to be happy.
“Hopefully if I can get a good run of games I can put a good run of goals together.
“I think I’ve scored six in seven starts – so hopefully, if I can play a bit more, who knows how many I’ll get?”
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