IN returning to action Tim Ryan has already achieved one aim this season, now he wants another – to win over the Darlington fans.

A serious knee injury meant the Stockport-born defender’s career was in jeopardy when his contract expired at the end of last season.

During pre-season Ryan, 33, returned to the Quakers despite being without a contract.

His return to full fitness convinced manager Dave Penney to offer him a new deal.

With Steve Foster suspended for the last three matches, Ryan has been called upon to play as stand-in centre-back, despite usually being used at left-back.

His recall, ahead Ian Miller, marked the culmination of a remarkable few months for a player now determined to make the most of his second chance.

He said: “The gaffer told me at the end of last season that he didn’t want me to go. He knew I could be a good player if I was fit and ready. He wanted me to come back and prove my fitness.

“So I trained for a couple of months with no contract and no pay but I wanted to come back and show the fans what I can do before I end up going into non-league.

“I know what the fans are like, they’re northerners. I played for Peterborough once and just missed out on the play-offs and I heard one fan shout ‘you northern bastard’.

“Barry Fry offered me a contract but I turned it down and said ‘no thanks, I’d rather take a chance up north’.

“I know Darlo people, I’m a northerner myself and I want to show them what I can do.

“I’ve had a terrible time with injuries while I’ve been with Darlington so the fans haven’t seen the best of me.

“I’ve not really had that many injuries in my career but I’ve had a few while with Darlington and my knee was a mess at the end of last season so that needed putting right.

“I’ve always been a bit of a scrapper and a fighter so I knew I’d come back, but it’s nice to be back.”

With Foster back from suspension for Saturday’s visit of Rochdale, Penney must decide whether to play Ryan or Ryan Valentine at left-back.

But he performed admirable as Foster’s stand-in and he added: “I know the gaffer sees me as a left-back, but I said to him that I could do a job.

“I played there loads of times for Doncaster as well, I filled in when needed, but I probably see myself as a leftback too.

“I have only played five or six games, as I had a suspension after the sending-off at Wycombe, but I need a run of games now and that will help me get sharper and fitter.”

Striker Gregg Blundell made his debut on loan for Accrington Stanley on Saturday and won a first half penalty against Bury.

But Paul Mullin’s spot-kick was saved and Bury went on to win 2-1 with Blundell playing for 65 minutes.

Quakers’ youth team saw their undefeated run in the league come to an end with Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Hull City.

The Tigers took a 2-0 lead before Dan Riley pulled a goal back from the penalty spot and Quakers have now dropped to third.