MARK Hughes has backed Steven Reid to go from strength to strength after the midfielder finally emerged from his 15-month injury nightmare.

Reid made his first competitive appearance since September 2 last year when he entered the fray as a late substitute in Rovers' 2-2 draw at Fulham on Sunday.

And although the Republic of Ireland international got less than five minutes at Craven Cottage, Hughes believes the mere fact he was able to take part at all will act as a major psychological boost for the 26-year-old, as he seeks to rediscover the form that made him one of Rovers' key players before all of his injury problems started.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's Premier League clash with Aston Villa at Ewood, Hughes said: "I thought it was important that we got Reidy on (against Fulham).

"It's been a long, hard time for him and he's worked extremely hard to get back.

"I think I surprised him by actually sticking him on the bench, but I think that's what we need to do with him now.

"We've played him in reserve games and against other teams, but I think he needs to be exposed to the Premier League again now, because that will bring him on more quickly than if we try to ease him back into things."

Reid's injury problems started in September 2006 when he suffered a stress fracture in his back, which resulted in him spending four months on the sidelines.

Then, just as he was about to make a first-team return in January earlier this year, he ruptured his cruciate knee ligament in a freak training ground accident at Brockhall - another cruel setback that kept him out for a further seven months.

Since then, Reid's comeback attempts have been further hampered by hamstring injuries but, after missing the best part of a season and a half, he can now start to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

A relieved Hughes, who took a calculated risk by including Reid in his plans for the Fulham game, said: "I think that's one of those things he had to get out of the way.

"Now he's done it, I think it will clear his mind and he'll be able to go from strength to strength."