Scarborough Athletic skipper Coulson keen to step up return to action

Boro have been hampered by a series of injuries, suspensions and unavailability over recent weeks, suffering defeats at Witton Albion and Buxton in their last two outings.

Coulson came off the bench for 15 minutes in Tuesday night's 4-1 defeat at Buxton and is hoping to step up his comeback at training on Thursday night ahead of home games against Nantwich and East Coast rivals Whitby Town coming up.

"I'm getting there with it now, I'm not a million miles away," said the Boro skipper.

"I'll be going to training and getting involved with the session for the first time and hopefully it'll feel ok afterwards.

"I went to Buxton thinking I didn't have a chance of playing given how it felt at Witton, but it was ok in the warm up and it was great to get a little run out.

"Hopefully I can step it up now, especially with two big home games coming up."

Coulson has been unfortunate with injuries previously in his career, so the Boro skipper is keen to make sure he times his return right - despite itching to get back into action.

"I've had problems with injuries in the past and sometimes you're ready to return in your head, but you're actually coming back too soon," he added.

"I am desperate to come back as I have never felt better, never felt fitter and we have the best dressing room I have known since returning to the club, so it has been frustrating to be out.

"I am professional enough to know when it will be the right time to be back and I hope that will be sooner rather than later."

Former Barnsley and Grimbsy man Coulson can't wait to link up with Nathan Cartman again after forming a threatening partnership during pre-season.

"It was looking good for me and Carts as we were linking up nicely, so it was gutting to get the injury when I did," added Coulson.

"He's a quality striker and he's playing really well at the moment, I can't wait to get back out there and try to rediscover the link we had earlier.

"It's a thankless task being a loan striker, one of the hardest jobs in football, but Carts is grafting hard and holding the ball up really well at the moment."