Elder tore a ligament on loan at AFC Wimbledon

Nathan Elder has targeted helping Shrewsbury to promotion after returning from a nine-month injury absence.

The striker played 25 minutes for the reserves this week - his first game since tearing a cruciate ligament.

"It's been hard and I did have a bit of self doubt, but everyone's been really supportive," the 25-year-old told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"You've just got to stick at it, and now I feel rejuvenated, like I've just signed for the club all over again."

Elder suffered the injury at the back end of last season towards the end of a loan period at AFC Wimbledon.

"It's my second serious injury (he shattered a cheekbone and an eye socket while playing for Brentford in 2009) and it did worry me," he said.

"But the whole squad here have kept encouraging me, as has the manager (Graham Turner), and the training staff tried to give me as varied a programme as possible."

Elder came on as a second-half sub in the reserve game against Macclesfield, and was denied a goal when his header came back off the bar.

"I had a bit of nerves before the game, but there was bigger sense of relief to get certain things out of my system and to play again," he admitted.

Elder, who has previously played League football for Brentford and Brighton, has now targeted a return to the Shrewsbury first team - but knows he faces stiff competition for a place.

"Matt (Harrold)'s playing really well, holding up the ball and scoring some goals you wouldn't think possible.

"Jon Taylor's really coming into his own, and then there's James Collins and young Tom Bradshaw.

"But I want to prove what I can do.

"I don't think the Shrewsbury fans have seen the best of me, and I want to play my part in helping this club to promotion," he concluded.

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