There was a delicious irony about Kurtis Guthrie making his long-awaited return to Colchester United’s first team at Huish Park.

After all, it was after the dramatic events of the U’s trip to Yeovil Town last season – and Guthrie’s candid post-match outburst - where their fortunes ultimately turned around.

John McGreal had been a little guarded in his pre-match press conference when asked about the possibility of Guthrie returning to the fray for Colchester.

The U’s head coach’s reluctance was understandable; the striker had been out for more than seven months with an ankle injury and the U’s head coach probably did not want to raise hopes of a welcome return.

So when Guthrie stepped off the team bus on Saturday lunchtime, his presence was understandably met with excitement from the group of Colchester fans who were there to greet them.

It is not only Guthrie’s goals that the U’s have missed since he has been sidelined.

They have also been robbed of his presence, desire and energy, infectious characteristics that seem to rub off on his team-mates both on and off the pitch.

Admittedly, Guthrie may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

But along with the likes of Brennan Dickenson, his prolonged absence has undoubtedly been detrimental to the U’s hopes of challenging at the right end of the table.

It might well take Guthrie a while to recover his full match fitness; missing out on a proper pre-season is damaging for any player.

But at least he is now back out on the pitch following his cameo display late on in the Yeovil victory and McGreal will ensure he is eased back into action, in order for him to be a key component in their side in the months to come.

Guthrie, out of contract at the Weston Homes Community Stadium at the end of the campaign, is yet to sign the new deal offered to him by the club in August.

The forward will feel that getting back to full fitness is currently his top priority and will not want anything else to distract him from that.

But if on his return, Guthrie hits the same heights as he managed in the second half of last season, Colchester will be keen that he puts pen to paper sooner rather than later.