MUSSELBURGH rugby ace Alun Walker is thrilled to be back playing after injury forced him to miss the beginning of the season.

Walker, now at Ealing Trailfinders in the English Championship, broke his arm in a pre-season match, but returned last month and made his first start against London Scottish at the weekend.

The Trailfinders lost the match, but Walker was delighted to be back in the number 2 jersey.

He told Courier Sport: "It was nice to be back.

"It's obviously been a frustrating start to the season for me but it was good to get back out on the pitch.

"The injury came after a fairly innocuous ruck, I made a tackle and tried to roll out the side and someone fell on my arm, and it snapped.

"It's part of the game and there's nothing you can do except deal with it."

The 26-year-old, previously on the books at Edinburgh Rugby, feels settled at the London club, having moved two years ago.

He said: "Since I've been here there's been a core group of guys which has been good.

"I think things are really starting to move in the right direction for the club."

Walker, who played for Musselburgh and Currie before joining the professional game with Edinburgh, admitted he would relish the chance to return north of the Border.

"I'd love to come back home and try to get my way into the Scotland squad and push for a place at one of the pro teams.

"Everyone down here is looking to get a Premiership or a Pro12 contract – I would love to get back in the set up.

"At the minute the rugby is going well and we are performing well and I'm focused on playing for Ealing."

He also looked ahead to the club's British and Irish Cup meeting with Bedford Blues this weekend, ahead of a league meeting with Cornish Pirates on Christmas Eve.

"The games are all tough – I don't think anyone takes the B&I lightly any more.

"We're top of the pool though and if we beat Bedford that will set up a quarter-final place, which is great preparation for the Championship game against Cornish Pirates."

And after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, Walker has set his team-mates one target for the remainder of this campaign.

He added: "I think we'll be happy if we can finish mid-table.

"The play-offs aren't something we've even talked about – that is far too soon for us."