Return of the Mac

ON TARGET: Charlie MacDonald fires home against Shrewsbury in November — Athletic’s last win in Sky Bet League One.

CHARLIE MacDonald was back in full training today and is ready to answer his manager’s call for goals.

Shot-shy Athletic have not hit the winning trail in the league since MacDonald got on the scoresheet at Shrewsbury in November, seven games ago. The 32 year old has been out since then with a torn thigh muscle.

With boss Lee Johnson aiming to improve a record of only 10 goals at Boundary Park all season, MacDonald appears certain to claim at least a place on the substitutes’ bench at Boundary Park for the game against Stevenage on Saturday.

“It has been a long time coming,” said Chronicle columnist MacDonald of his return. “I have had a tough time with injuries and it has been a stop-start season for me.”

His four goals came in only seven starts and three sub appearances for Athletic.

MacDonald, who is four months older than his manager, has spoken to Johnson and an agreement has been reached where the striker will rest from training sessions when necessary, to maintain top condition.

The aim is to keep the former Charlton, Brentford and MK Dons man on the pitch as much as possible for the rest of the campaign.

With the last two efforts at home against Colchester and Shrewsbury “pretty poor” in MacDonald’s own words, he views the Stevenage fixture as being crucial.

He added: “It is our biggest test of the season so far. You get the cliché that the next game is always the biggest one — but this really is huge.”