Ross McCormack played 75 minutes for Cardiff City's reserves on Monday and revealed after the match: "I wanted to stay on for the whole 90 minutes!"

Rosco's plea for more action  was a shot in the arm for Bluebirds fans who have been awaiting his return since he seriously damaged a hamstring in the 1-1  draw at Blackpool on August 15.

He looked sharp and almost scored direct from a corner as City drew 1-1 with Bristol Rovers reserves at the Memorial Ground. Another comeback star, full back Kevin McNaughton, also played for 75 minutes as he proved his fitness after sustaining an ankle injury in the friendly against Celtic in July.

McCormack and McNaughton had played 45 minutes in the previous Tuesday's reserve match at Hereford.

McCormack said after the Rovers match: "I felt fine during the match, and had no trouble doing the 75 minutes. To be honest, I wanted to stay on for the whole 90. 

"I'm still hungry for goals. That hunger never leaves you, even when you're injured and can't play, but it's a great feeling to be out there trying to score. I was taking the corners, and said to the lads that their keeper was leaving a little room. So I tried to score from a corner and it hit the inside of the far post and came out."

Ross, who also forced a great save from Rovers keeper Rhys Jones with another shot, added: "I've felt ready to return for a while. I actually asked to go on the bench for the Derby game, but the manager and the medical staff felt I wasn't quite ready.

"When it came to the Watford game, the decision was that I would go on the bench and get some action late on if we were in a winning position. That was how it worked out, and it felt great to get out there. Where I go from here is up to the manager, but I'm feeling better all the time."