Ex-Workington Reds striker Grant Holt made his long-awaited comeback from injury on Tuesday afternoon.

The 34-year-old, from Harraby, had been out of action for almost nine months after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury whilst on loan at Championship side Huddersfield Town back in December 2014.

But Holt featured for half-an-hour on his return to the fold for the Wigan's development squad against Preston North End before being replaced by Josh Gregory in the 1-0 win at Christopher Park.

The former Nottingham Forest and Norwich City frontman underwent surgery on the injury to his left knee in January before beginning a gruelling period of rehabilitation.

And Holt, who also played for Workington Reds and Barrow in his home county at the start of his career, voiced his delight at having made his comeback on Twitter.

“Came through my first 30 min which was great now time to kick on,” he Tweeted.

Holt joined Wigan from the Canaries in 2013, but has made just 19 appearances to date during his spell at the DW Stadium, which has been punctuated with loan stints at Premier League side Aston Villa and, most recently, with the Terriers in the second tier.