Mullins completed 70 minutes of the second strings 5-1 win over Port Vale yesterday after six months out of action with injury, and is targeting the JPT clash with Sheffield United in early October as a possible return to the first team.
"It was just so good getting back out there,” said Mullins to the Star. “It’s been a lot of hard work and I’m so grateful to Denis Circuit for all he’s done and people who’ve helped me. It’s been a long, hard road and a frustrating time, and that goes for the wife too with what she’s had to put up with,” he laughed.
"The initial estimate was out until October so it’s great being ahead of schedule and great tribute to the work that’s been put in with me. Yes, I was a bit nervous beforehand but I just wanted to get out there, get that first header, get that first challenge in. I was blowing a bit but the other lads were great and helped me through it.”
Mullins could be drafted into first team contention sooner rather than later if an injury to Ryan Cresswell is as serious as first thought. The skipper went down with a foot injury in training yesterday and could be out for a couple of weeks depending on diagnosis when the swelling settles down.
Meanwhile Mullins and trialist Stephen Jordan, who played left back yesterday, are pencilled in for another run out against Hull reserves next week.
Boss Andy Scott watched on as Chris Holroyd netted four times to give him a big confidence boost and put pressure on first choice pairing Lewis Grabban and Alex Revell.