Chris Maxwell was pleased to get back in a ‘match scenario’ by featuring in a game against Huddersfield Town’s B side this afternoon.

The goalkeeper, sidelined with a quadricep tear since early October, got a valuable 65 minutes between the sticks in a 2-2 draw at the Terriers’ training ground, which saw CJ Hamilton and Tyreece John-Jules on target for the Seasiders. “It was good to blow the cobwebs off and get back in a match scenario. It was much-needed and felt really good. My body is fine and it’s great to be back,” the Blackpool skipper admitted. “It was going to be a long process (returning from injury). It took longer than I anticipated, but it’s quite normal for a thigh injury for a goalkeeper to take that much time. The physio and the gaffer have built me up slowly and I feel great.”

Sitting out nine first-team fixtures isn’t something the 31-yeer-old is particularly used to, however he’s tried to put the time to good use and support his team-mates in a different way. “I’m not used to missing games, and it has been difficult at times, but that’s part and parcel of football. I’ve been fortunate enough to be fit for pretty much my whole career. I’ve now learnt from the process and I’m glad to be back,” he said.

“I’ve still tried to be influential in the dressing room, even though I’ve not been on the pitch. I always try to help the players playing and those not in the squad to the best of my ability. It’s been different, but I’ve enjoyed that different type of leadership.”