John Paintsil is relishing his return to first-team action after making a successful comeback in the reserves.

The Ghana full-back is yet to play again this year having remained on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury against Chelsea last December.

Having missed the African Nations Cup and Fulham's Europa League campaign, Paintsil now hopes to break into Roy Hodgson's squad for the remainder of the season.

"To play a full 90 minutes against Aston Villa's reserves on Monday was fantastic and I'm looking to be involved with the first team again very soon," he told the club's official website.

"The injury happened on the last day before leaving to join my colleagues in the African Cup of Nations so I missed out on the African Cup of Nations and also all the Europa League games and I nearly lost the World Cup.

"We all started the season together but my injury pushed me away from competing in the Europa League competition.

"The boys are doing so well and I'm really pleased with their performances but on the other hand I'm not happy that I'm not involved."

Paintsil now hopes to return to his old form as he seeks to go all-out between now and the end of the season.

"It's been really frustrating so now that I'm fit to play again I have to work so hard so that I can be the same player I was before."