HAS he had a summer to forget, but now Simon Russell is back in action.

Kidderminster Harriers longest serving player missed most of the pre-season and only got his first 23 minutes of the campaign on Tuesday night in the 3-1 victory over Droylsden.

The 22-year-old midfielder has seen the start of this term wrecked by a thigh injury, but the Aggborough physio Ian Foster says that the former Hull City man has been going that extra mile to get himself fit.

"He has been working before and after training to get up to scratch," Foster told the club's official website. "And it was nice to see him out there again.

"He is a big person to have in the squad and he always has that bit of quality to bring to the team.

"It's exciting for everyone to see him play again - it's a massive boost."

But while Russell has been out injured, Mark Yates' men have found their feet after a slow start to the new Blue Square Premier Division.

However, Foster believes that the midfielder has the character to win in place back in the starting XI.

"Competition is good for places in the squad and competition in midfield is tough and Simon will have to work very hard to get in, but to be fair to him he has done that," he added.