BLACKBURN Rovers' forgotten man Andy Todd is ready to prove he has a future under Mark Hughes after making his long-awaited comeback in the reserves last night.

The former Bolton and Charlton defender came through a full 90 minutes unscathed as Rovers' second string defeated Leeds United 2-1 at Morecambe's Christie Park.

That was Todd's first competitive run out since April and now he's hoping to force his way into Hughes's plans over the next few weeks following a period of exile under the previous regime.

The 29-year-old, who was voted the supporters' player of the year last season, originally lost his first team place as a result of a disagreement with Graeme Souness five months ago.

Then to compound his misery, a knee injury required two separate bouts of surgery and Todd has subsequently spent the last three months on the sidelines.

But the versatile defender has now been given the green light to resume his playing career and he hopes the arrival of a new manager has increased his prospects of a first team recall.

"When a new manager comes in I think everyone starts with a clean slate and hopefully I'll get that," said Todd.

"Obviously, I'd like to get back in the squad but I know there's no guarantees.

"There's a lot of good centre halves at the club so all I'm doing is trying to concentrate on getting fit and then I'll take each step as it comes."

Inevitably, Todd looked a little rusty as he made his first appearance of the season and he feels it may be a while before he's ready to compete for a first team shirt.

"I was just happy to get through it but I know I need a lot more games."

"I've been out for 12 weeks so I think I need another four or five games yet.

"It's alright training but it's a different tempo in matches."

Aside from Todd's return, there was further good news for Hughes last night in the shape of comebacks for David Thompson and Steven Reid.

Thompson has missed the last six weeks with an ankle injury but he lasted an hour and scored a well-taken goal before he was replaced by Ciaran Donnelly , while Reid completed his first full 90 minutes since recovering from the broken foot he sustained in the pre-season friendly against Preston.

"Physically, I felt okay but my ankle is still giving me one or two problems," said Thompson.

"It's just that last 10 per cent that I can't shake off so I might need a little bit more time."

Thompson was only just returning from a long-term knee problem when he suffered a fresh injury blow against Manchester United in August.

At first, he thought he had twisted his ankle but the problem turned out to be more serious, hence his six week lay-off.

"I spoke to the surgeon and he said I did everything but break my leg," said Thompson.

"It was similar to what Milan Baros did at our place last year, only he actually broke his leg.

"I ruptured membrane and tissue around the bone and really jarred it. The only thing I didn't do was actually break it."

After so many set-backs over the last 18 months, Thompson does not intend to rush back before he's ready, even though he's itching for a first team return.

"My form will dictate that. As soon as I start playing really well then I'll have a chance.

"I played (last night) but all I really did was have a little run around.

"I didn't try to tackle anyone, I just tried to ease my way back into it again and get some confidence in my leg.

"I've been injured for so long now that I want to be 100 per cent when I come back."

Meanwhile, Jonathan Stead's barren spell in front of goal continued as England Under 21s drew 0-0 with Azerbaizan in Baku yesterday - but it wasn't for the want of trying.

Stead went closer than anyone to breaking the deadlock as he struck the crossbar and had a 'goal' disallowed.