THERE weren t many more disappointed that Dagenham & Redbridge s game with Brentford was called on Monday night, than midfielder Peter Gain, writes MIKE SIMMONDS. For the 32-year-old was set to end almost three months out due to injury after being named o

THERE weren't many more disappointed that Dagenham & Redbridge's game with Brentford was called on Monday night, than midfielder Peter Gain, writes MIKE SIMMONDS.

For the 32-year-old was set to end almost three months out due to injury after being named on the substitutes' bench, only for a floodlight failure to put paid to Gain's reintroduction to the Daggers side.

"I was looking forward to Monday and was hoping to maybe come off the bench for 10 minutes or so if we were winning, but it wasn't to be," said the former Lincoln and Peterborough player.

"It was really unfortunate and I did feel sorry for the younger lads, as they were upset about not playing on Sky.

"I've been lucky enough to play quite a few times on TV, but hopefully Sky will come back and our time will come again."

Before Gain suffered his injury, he was easily one of Daggers most important players and one of the main reasons behind their excellent early season form.

He didn't miss a minute of league action, and his experience in the centre of midfield brought the best out of Solomon Taiwo.

Unfortunately, he was always nursing a problem that occurred earlier in the season, and something had to be done.

"The problem actually started against Brentford at their place, but I managed to get through it," he said.

"Against Rotherham it was very painful though and I had to get it sorted out properly. I've had the operation to remove the cartilage now and it all went to plan.

"I'm not 100 per cent just yet, but that will come by getting some first team games."

In Gain's absence, Daggers have managed three wins, six draws and six defeats, showing his influence has been missed.

Although they have dropped out of the play-off places, Daggers are only six points behind seventh-placed Shrewsbury, with a game in hand, and Gain believes there is all to play for.

"I honestly thought in the Christmas and January period that we would have enough to go straight up automatically," he said.

"Then I got my injury and it's just gone slightly downhill since then, but we have players coming back to fitness now, like Paul Benson, who is a massive part of our game.

"He played in a squad game this week and looked like he hadn't been away, while Doug Loft and Jamie Guy have come in and done well.

"Dagenham always seem to gain confidence from a win, so if we can do that, then we can make the play-offs.

"I've been there four times myself and know that a team like ours could definitely do well in that situation."

Gain may well be starting on the bench again this weekend against Macclesfield, but he is expecting a tough test against a manager he knows only too well.

Keith Alexander was in charge at Lincoln where Gain spent six years, and he will want a better performance from his charges after they were battered 4-0 by Daggers in December.

"I know Keith well from my Lincoln days and he won't take too kindly to getting beaten like that, especially at home," said Gain.

"He will be out looking for revenge, but it's up to us to get the result.

"Hopefully, I can get on the pitch too and get some minutes, as that is the main aim for me."

How much have Daggers missed Peter Gain? Email: sport@ilfordrecorder.co.uk

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