ROVERS defender Sebastian Pelzer today set his sights on a first-team return after kick-starting his season in the reserves last night.

The 23-year-old fullback, who has been laid low by hamstring trouble recently, hit the comeback trail with a 70-minute run-out against Aston Villa at Morecambe's Christie Park.

And in a message to Rovers boss Graeme Souness, he then vowed: 'I'll seize my chance when it comes along'.

"The first couple of months have been a little bit frustrating because of the injury but I'm keeping positive," said Pelzer.

"When I do get my chance, I'm confident I'll take it.

"All I can do in the mean time is keep working hard and then when that chance comes, make sure I grab it."

Pelzer has yet to make his full Premiership debut after his £350,000 summer move from Kaiserslautern was interrupted by injury and personal problems.

He recently had to pull out of one squad in order to return home to Germany following a family bereavement.

Then he suffered a slight tear in his hamstring just three minutes into a behind-closed-doors friendly with Oldham which set him back another couple of weeks.

"I went in for a tackle with this guy after three minutes but stopped in front of him and it just went," said Pelzer.

"But everything is okay again with the hamstring now because we have a good medical staff here and it only took a week or so to clear up.

"So I feel fit again and I just hope I can impress the manager.

"I'm feeling very settled here."

Pelzer turned in a steady performance at left-back last night before he had to come off in the 72nd minute after feeling the effects of a stomach bug.

However, all being well, that should clear up in the next couple of days and the player is then hopeful he will be in a position to push for a first team place.

"I had to come off because I felt a little bit sick but the doctor said it shouldn't be too much of a problem and he said I should be okay by tomorrow," added the German.

Meanwhile, John Curtis's comeback from injury suffered a set-back last night when he had to be substituted at half-time after straining a muscle in his side.

Curtis has yet to feature in the first team this season and he must now wait to hear what Rovers' medical staff say today about his latest injury.