Webster on the comeback trail

AARON Webster is counting down the days to his long-awaited Football League debut after a summer of injury strife.

The long-serving full-back was one of the mainstays of the Burton Albion team that rose through the non-league ranks to earn League Two status.

But a catalogue of injury problems have forced him to take a back seat and watch summer signing Paul Boertien lay claim to the No 3 shirt.

Now, however, Webster believes he is ready to make his League debut as soon as the opportunity arises.

He was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw at Notts County last weekend and, more importantly, came though a 90-minute reserve team outing unscathed on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old, who made his comeback in the 2-1 defeat of Sheffield Wednesday's second string at Hillsborough, said last night: "It was a big relief to get 90 minutes under my belt because it was my first game since the end of last season.

"I felt happy with the way things went after such a long lay-off and I can't wait for the next reserve team game to come round, so I can get another 90 minutes under my belt." Webster has been hampered by Achilles and hamstring injuries since Albion's squad reported back for training at the end of June, and it has been a long struggle for him to meet the exacting fitness standards set by new boss Paul Peschisolido.

He said: "It's been a very frustrating time for me but I can at last see some light at the end of the tunnel.

"I came back with a sore Achilles which I think was probably the result of stretching different muscles playing a lot of squash and badminton during the close season.

"That meant I missed the first three weeks of pre-season training and then I developed a hamstring problem because I probably tried to come back too soon.

"I knew I had a fight on my hands for a place in the team and I think I probably pushed myself too hard.

"In the end, I not only missed the whole of pre-season training, I didn't get a game in any of the friendlies either.

"In a perfect world, I would have sailed through training and earned my place in the team on the first day of the season at Shrewsbury, but football doesn't always go to plan.

"Normally, I've been used to playing when I've not been 100 per cent, but that's not Paul's way of doing things.

"When Nigel (Clough) was manager I would turn out with a bit of an injury when he asked me to because we had a small squad.

"But the new gaffer has got a much bigger squad and he'll only consider people for the team if they are 100 per cent fit.

"Fortunately, Steve Walker has come in as physio and I've spent a lot of one-to-one time with him working on my fitness and getting my weight down.

"He's done a great job and I owe him a big thank you.

"Now, hopefully, it's just a case of being a bit more patient for my chance to play in the League.

"The team is doing well so that probably means I've got to wait for someone to get unlucky with an injury or suspension.

"But when that chance does come, I'll try to grab it with both hands to make sure I stay in the team." Webster will get another chance to impress Peschsolido when Albion host Derby County reserves on Wednesday.

Webster is the second longestserving player at the Pirelli Stadium behind club skipper Darren Stride.

He joined the Brewers as a youth team player and made his senior debut 11 years ago.

With a career record of 468 appearances and 80 goals, Webster was rewarded with a testimonial game in May.