Nightmare

The former Inter Milan star has been to Hell and back since he damaged his cruciate knee ligament while on international duty with Slovakia last November.

But now the 28-year-old is fighting fit again after making a long-awaited comeback in Rovers' 4-1 friendly win at Swansea on Saturday, and he's hoping to build on that with another run-out in tonight's game at Grimsby.

Gresko said: "This is the second serious injury I've had after I broke my foot against Leeds a few years ago, but I've never been out of football for as long as this before.

"It's been a very difficult time but I've just tried to stay positive and keep focused on the most important things.

"I've worked really hard over the last eight months and now I'm just trying to play again.

"I enjoyed it on Saturday but I know I must keep working hard if I want to get my place back."

Gresko had only played one competitive game under Hughes before he got injured during Slovakia's game with Slovenia last Autumn.

That means he must now start from scratch in his bid to impress the Rovers boss, but the likeable defender is just pleased to be playing again after spending so long on the sidelines.

Referring to the battle for first team places, he said: "My knee is my priority, that's number one at the moment, and if I'm fit then we'll see what happens.

"It all depends on the manager. I don't worry about other players, I just do my work in training and try to do everything 100 per cent because that's all you can do.

"I haven't had time to show the manager what I can do yet, but if he gives me the chance then I've just got to try and play well."

Although Gresko is now back in contention for a place in the side, it remains to be seen whether he will be fit for the start of the season as he's still behind the rest of the squad in terms of match fitness.

He should get another chance to impress at Blundell Park tonight (kick off 7.45pm), but after that Rovers have just one more friendly, against Espanyol on Saturday, before they kick off their Premiership campaign at West Ham the following weekend.

"We've got two weeks to go and I've only played 20 minutes in the last eight months, so it's difficult to say whether I'll be ready," added Gresko.

"But I'm just pleased to be back and I want to say a special thanks to all the physios because they helped me a lot when I was out injured."