Byrne’s eager for return to action

MACCLESFIELD Town defender Neill Byrne admits he is had had to endure a frustrating few weeks after spending time on the sidelines through injury.

Byrne made his return to the Silkmen team when he came off the bench during Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Portsmouth.

It was his first appearance in a Macclesfield shirt for a while, and he is glad to finally be back in the fold.

“It’s been frustrating while I’ve been injured but these things happen in football so now I just have to move on,” he said.

“It has taken a lot longer than I thought it would to return so it’s nice to be back with the other players as it can get a bit boring being in the physio room every day!

“I’ve been back training with the lads since last Monday and I’m getting fitter and sharper as each day goes on and with the extra training I’ve been doing in the gym I feel good.

“It’s up to the manager whether he feels I’m fit enough to start games and if he decides I’m ready then I’ll be up for it.”

Macclesfield have been in decent form during Byrne’s absence, and he has been impressed with what he has seen from his team-mates.

“The lads have done very well without me and in the games I’ve been to watch at home I think they have played great,” he said.

“Gateshead are right up there as one of the best sides in the league and when I watched our match against them I thought we played them off the park, so everyone has been impressive.”

Byrne joined Macclesfield from AFC Telford earlier this year, and the Republic of Ireland U19 international has also played for Nottingham Forest, Rochdale, Barrow and Southport during his career.