Lines scored 11 goals for the Pirates last season

Bristol Rovers midfielder Chris Lines has thanked manager Dave Penney for his quick return to first-team action.

Lines, 25, was sidelined for two weeks with a toe injury but made his comeback in the 1-0 win over Oldham on Saturday.

He told BBC Radio Bristol: "It was good for me that the gaffer showed faith in me and brought me back in even though I perhaps wasn't quite 100% fit.

"We've got a lot of strength in depth at the club now so it was great to get back in."

Rovers had gone five games without a victory before registering three points against the Latics.

"I really enjoyed it, the fans were great. There was a much better feeling in the dressing room obviously," he added.

"I was out for a bit longer than I expected and I was really keen to get on the pitch."

Lines, who is in his sixth season in the Pirates first team, is now eyeing back-to-back victories with a result at Brentford on Saturday.

"We did well there last year so if we can repeat that kind of performance then we might be able to get successive wins which I don't think we've done in a long time."

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