Nicky Maynard is thrilled to be back and can't wait to pull on his number 9 shirt again tomorrow! The Crewe Alexandra striker has worked incredibly hard to get himself fit again following the disappointment of breaking his leg on the opening day of the season. Our home match with Brighton was just 20 minutes old when the hard working Maynard chased down a clearance from full-back Kerry Mayo and put all his weight on his ankle. The result was Maynard suffered a broken fibula and ankle ligament damage, but after three months out he is back in contention for tomorrow's clash with Nottingham Forest.

Maynard is expected to be named as a substitute but will be desperate to restart his season with a cameo appearance at the City Ground.

Nicky told crewealex.net: "I have worked hard to get back and I've been feeling good this week. I've been training for over two weeks now and feel as though I am ready to play again. Hopefully that opportunity to play at some stage will come tomorrow and I'm looking to pick up from where I left off last season.

"We have been playing a few 5-asides and a few 11-asides and I have felt good in those games. I have scored a few goals and my fitness has come back. I have had no reaction with my ankle and I am moving a lot better now.

"I know that I won't walk straight back into the team because the players that have come in have done really well for the team. They deserve their chance, so all I can is wait for my opportunity and then take it."

Maynard is hoping to get onto the field at some stage tomorrow and he is looking forward to pulling on the Crewe shirt once again.

"It will be great to get the shirt on again, " says Nick. "There is no bigger game in this league than Nottingham Forest away, so I'm looking forward to it. As far as I concerned my season really does start here.

"I do have some targets in mind, but I am going to keep them for myself. I have to make up for some lost time."