ONE man who was delighted after St Albans City s 2-2 draw with Hampton was defender Chris Seeby. The City right back made his comeback for the first team, playing in his first league game since September 22, 2007, after spending 15 months on the sidelines

ONE man who was delighted after St Albans City's 2-2 draw with Hampton was defender Chris Seeby.

The City right back made his comeback for the first team, playing in his first league game since September 22, 2007, after spending 15 months on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament injury. Speaking after Saturday's draw, the 23-year-old declared: "I'm really glad to be back!"

It's been a long and far from smooth road to recovery for Seeby, with delays in setting a date for the operation hindering his rehabilitation. "I had to wait for the op for four or five months and that was the hardest part for me. I'm just really glad to be back in the first team."

The versatile defender admitted to being surprised at being named in Steve Castle's starting 11 on Saturday, coming in to replace James Quilter who went down with flu on Christmas Eve, and there were even a few nerves before kick off: "I was surprised to be starting today but it was really good to be back. It was good to get 90 and I was a bit nervous before because I didn't realise I was going to start but I'm really chuffed."

Seeby, the longest serving member of the City first team, said that the team were a bit disappointed to let their lead slip twice: "After going ahead twice it was a bit of a disappointment to get a draw in the end. With ten men, with Gary getting sent off early, it was pretty tough. We did really well in the first half and in the second half we came out and were on the counter attack a lot of the time. We went ahead twice and I thought we were unlucky not to nick it but we're pleased with a point in the end."

Seeby doesn't envisage any problems with his knee following Saturday's game and is hoping to be involved as City start 2009 with two games in three days. "We'll see how it is in the next couple of days. I've got to let the manager know on Sunday to see how it is but I'm sure it'll be fine. I've just got to get out early tomorrow just to loosen it up really.