INFLUENTIAL Wimborne Town skipper Scott Arnold insisted he was “buzzing” after putting behind him months of injury torment.

Defender Arnold damaged ankle ligaments during his first pre-season training session in July – having only just returned after undergoing hip surgery in November.

But having made his comeback and played 90 minutes in Magpies’ 3-1 defeat by Bristol Manor Farm at Cuthbury last time out, Arnold was delighted to be back.

He told the Daily Echo: “It was great to be back and be around the boys. I was always travelling with them even when I was injured but it’s completely different when you are playing.

“In the second half, I kept looking over at the bench to see if my number was coming up!

“I didn’t expect to play as long as I did, but I felt all right.

“In the end, I was pleased. I like a challenge and it certainly was one.”

He added: “The longest period I had out before that was six weeks when I broke my cheekbone two years ago.

“The ankle was still sore even before Saturday’s game but we strapped it up, I played on it and got through it.

“The hip was fine. I have done quite a bit of running on it and it has settled down nicely.

“Playing games is the best way to get fit.

“It will probably take me a couple of weeks but games come thick and fast at this time of year. I can crack on, get my head down and catch up as fast as I can.

“Hopefully, I can keep the shirt and the armband and carry on.”

Arnold had been restricted to just one training session and a 45-minute cameo for the club’s development side ahead of his return to the first team after 10 months out.

And having been a keen onlooker of Magpies’ start to the campaign, he is determined to help them climb the table following three straight defeats.

“Generally in the games, we have been in control most of the time. It’s just mistakes which are costing us,” added Arnold.

“Sometimes, you go through periods where you get away with it but, at the moment, we are going through a spell where every mistake we make, we are getting punished for.”

Magpies, currently 16th in the table, visit Evesham United on Sunday (3pm).

The fixture has been rescheduled for 24 hours later as Gloucester City, who groundshare with Evesham, are set to face Hungerford Town in the FA Cup at the Jubilee Stadium today.

Arnold said: “The Sunday roast will be on hold!

“It will be strange playing on a Sunday because I haven’t played them for years.

“The fact it’s for Wimborne means everyone will be focused and properly prepared.”

Victory for Magpies would be their third league success of the campaign.