IAN Dartnell is delighted to be back in action for Westcliff - two years after last lining up for the club.

The former skipper has lined up in Westcliff’s last two games in National Three London & SE.

And Dartnell is thrilled to have finally made a return.

“I had two years out so it’s great to be back among the players again,” said Dartnell.

“I had a cruciate reconstruction in May which has healed well now.

“But I have been training to become a mortgage advisor which put my rehab on hold.

“I’m back to full fitness now and I’m really enjoying playing again.

“It’s hard to just spectate and be out of the mix so being back with the lads again is really exciting.”

Westcliff were beaten 59-12 by high-flying Westcombe Park in Dartnell’s first game back before they bounced back to see off Guildford 25-11 last weekend.

And Dartnell believes he is now in better shape than ever before.

“My body is feeling great and I haven’t suffered any reaction to coming back at all which is good news,” said Dartnell.

“I had been hitting the gym hard which has obviously helped and I feel in better shape now than I did before which is good.”

With Dartnell back in the team, Westcliff have risen up to ninth in the table, 10 points clear of local rivals Southend Saxons in the relegation zone.

Westcliff will now be aiming to move further clear of the bottom three when they take on struggling Colchester on Saturday.

But Dartnell is expecting another tough afternoon despite their opponents’ lowly league position.

“I know this weekend won’t be easy as Colchester will certainly be up for it and I’m sure they will be looking to make it difficult for us,” said Dartnell.

“If we do the basics well and work as hard as we did against Guildford we will hopefully come away with another win which is obviously what we’re targeting.

“But after so long out I’m really forward to the game.”

Dartnell will be aiming to make a big impression.

And the club’s director of rugby Rick Compton is thrilled to see Dartnell back in action.

“After two years out it’s brilliant that Ian has come back into the team,” said Compton.

“He has certainly made a difference.”