Shane Duff is glad to finally get the chance to make a contribution to Cheltenham Town's annual fight for survival after being forced to watch the struggles of his team-mates from afar in recent months.

Long-term absentee Duff finally made a return to the side in Tuesday night's FA Cup replay at Doncaster to bring an end to four months on the sidelines with a serious Achilles injury.

Duff's last appearance before that came in manager Martin Allen's first game in charge back in September when Cheltenham were on the back of a morale-sapping run of five straight defeats that signalled the end of former boss Keith Downing's reign.

The Robins still remain mired in the thick of the relegation battle and Duff is now hopeful that his time to play a part has come.

He said: "I am just glad to be back and available again after being out for so long. I have been sat there watching games and feeling that I can add something.

"The games are all being decided by small margins and we as a team are always promising a lot.

"We are creating a lot of chances and I would be worried if we weren't getting a sniff in front of goal.

"The boys are working hard and pulling together so all we need is a couple of positive results.

"That will garner a bit of confidence and if we can put together an unbeaten run we will be in much better shape.

"When you are at the wrong end of the table it always seems like things conspire against you.

"All you can do to turn it around is keep working hard because you have to make your own luck."

Allen's side continue their battle to climb away from the foot of the table against fellow relegation candidates Brighton at Whaddon Road this afternoon.

Duff has not ruled out the possibility of playing two games in the space of four days after coming through the Doncaster reverse unscathed.

"It was a shame to go out of the cup, but nice to get through 90 minutes," said Duff.

"It was a big psychological boost because I didn't even expect to be playing.

"I was very tired at times but to come through unscathed was pleasing.

All we need is positive results

"The Achilles wasn't a problem, although some of the other muscles were pretty tired.

"I felt a bit heavy-legged in training after the game and I don't know what the manager is thinking.

"If he asks me to play I will be more than happy to get out there again."

Duff has watched a number of players come and go from the club as Allen continues his revolution.

One of those players to have come and gone is Charlton striker Stuart Fleetwood.

He is expected to line up for Brighton today after securing a loan move to Micky Adams' side soon after leaving the Robins at the end of October.

"It is a shame that Stuart didn't stay a bit longer because we all know what he can do," Duff said.

"We know what his strengths are and we will be working hard to nullify them."

He added: "We have had a lot of players coming and going since I have been on the sidelines. The manager has his own opinions on players and he is trying to wheel and deal to make us a better side."

Alan Wright is struggling to feature after picking up a calf strain and Elvis Hammond could be rested after a demanding run of games.

Cheltenham (from): S Brown, Puddy, Lindegaard, Gallinagh, Westwood, Ridley, Duff, Westlake, Finnigan, Russell, Bird, Montrose, Owusu, Hammond, Vincent, Bignall.