Baldwin has been out of action for nine months

Colchester United defender Pat Baldwin says he is relieved to be finally making a return from long-term injury.

The 25-year-old has been out since January with a shoulder injury, which followed a knee problem, but returned for the U's reserves on Tuesday.

"I've had a long wait and some hard work to get here, but I was pleased with how it turned out," he told BBC Essex after the game with Ipswich.

"I've never had this kind of lay-off in my career so it was very, very hard."

Baldwin added: "At times it was very difficult for me, taking it home and taking it out on my girlfriend who has been a massive support for me throughout.

"If it weren't for her I don't know where my mind would be at the moment."

Having played at the new Community Stadium for the first time, Baldwin said he felt close to being ready to stake his claim for a return to the first team.

"I've had a good couple of weeks training where I've put in a lot of work and it's been fine, so I was just concentrating on trying to complete the 90 minutes.

"I've been on the bench for a couple of times and I think that if I were called upon I could do a good job now.

"But obviously the manager will probably think I'll need a couple more 90 minutes under my belt, so we'll have to wait and see."