ADAM Chicksen is hoping for third time lucky after recovering from his second City injury setback.

The left back has made just ten starts since joining the club last summer.

But after playing his first game for three months in the reserves on Tuesday, the defender is eyeing a clear run for the rest of the campaign.

Chicksen, who has been sidelined with a torn thigh, said: "I haven't had any major injuries before in the ten years that I've been playing.

"So as a player, sometimes you can't complain. You've got to accept that it happens and I've just had two close together.

"It's the best it's felt. The movement was great and I didn't get any pains in my hip.

"It was great to be out there running around and feeling normal again. Once the whistle went, there was no thought about it."

Chicksen has missed the last 19 games since pulling up injured against Oldham at Valley Parade in mid-October. That followed on from the broken cheekbone on opening day that kept him out for a month.

He admitted he could not wait to be involved again with a 45-minute outing at the training ground.

Chicksen said: "Once I knew I was going to be playing, it was weird. You start to get the buzz back waking up in the morning knowing you're going to put a foot over the white line again.

"I was excited – all the lads could tell. They probably heard enough of me going on about having a game. I'm not going to lie, I loved every minute of it.

"As every player says, you can't replicate that feeling from the build-up and knowing you're going to be in that competitive atmosphere.

"The stretch of the rehab' felt long and you're looking for the finish line. But you get there and when you do, you've got to be ready.

"I got a lot of help from the physios Chris Royston and Dayle Avison and now I'm feeling fit and healthy and ready to go."

Chicksen's return will provide a much-needed boost for a squad stretched to the limit by injuries and urgently in need of transfer-window reinforcements.

Yet having been out for so long, Stuart McCall will be careful to ease the player back into action.

Chicksen said: "I've been focusing on information as it comes and not thought about the timescale. There's another reserve game next week and I'll see what they want to do.

"I'm not in any mad rush. I want to make sure I come back properly so the manager can rely on me if he does put me back in and not be thinking about when I'll have to come off.

"If the gaffer calls on me, there will be no questions asked and I'll be happy to get back out there.

"I still think we've got a good chance this season if we're in the mix. I don't think you need to focus too much on the odd result here or there.

"Take away a few disappointments and we've looked good as a team. We've shown that throughout the season."