FULL-BACK Bradley Barry is hoping that he can put a frustrating spell on the sidelines behind him as he looks to pitch in for Swindon Town’s relegation battle.

The 22-year-old returned to the starting XI in Saturday’s draw with Oldham Athletic having been absent since the home game with Shrewsbury Town at the beginning of January.

Barry, who joined Swindon from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2015, had hoped his first major setback since heading to the County Ground, having almost been an ever-present in his first season, was behind him when he returned last month.

However, he rolled his ankle during the 1-1 draw and suffered further delays in his recovery on the training pitch.

“I’ve had a bit of a struggle recently,” he explained.

“I have been picking up a few knocks. I came back against Shrewsbury and then I have rolled my ankle.

“It seemed a bit worse when I had a scan and it put me out for about four weeks.

“It was disappointing for me, I had just come back to fitness and played well.

“After two weeks I thought it was getting better.

“I went out onto the pitch and it just felt like my ankle was fresh again.

“It is so frustrating, especially coming back, playing, playing well and then having to sit out again.

“It was frustrating for me as well seeing the boys down is not nice, we are all a team.

“I just wanted to get back to help the boys. We’re all in this together.”

Barry is not the only player to be sidelined recently, with Jonathan Obika and Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill both returning to first team action in recent weeks.

However, they have not been rushed back, with head coach Luke Williams keen to ensure they don’t return too early and miss any more of what is going to be a crucial run in for the club as they bid to keep their League One status.

“He (Williams) doesn’t rush us back,” added Barry.

“He asks us if we are ready. He asked me during the week if I was ready and I wanted to make sure I was training first and everything was comfortable.

“If you’re out there injured, you’re just letting everyone else down.

“Just because you want to play, it’s not fair. When you have a player that’s fit, it makes a lot of difference.”