Bogle 'ready to go' after season of frustration

Omar Bogle was booked for removing his shirt after scoring six minutes into his return to action

Crewe Alexandra striker Omar Bogle insists he is "back and ready to go" after scoring on his first appearance of the season in Saturday's League Two win over Shrewsbury.

Bogle was brought on with three minutes of normal time to go and needed just six minutes to find the net, sealing a 3-1 win which lifted the Railwaymen back into the play-off places.

He was happy to accept the yellow card that came his way for excessive celebration as emotion took over following a tough time on the sidelines.

"That was a long time of frustration and disappointment," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"It was just a release and something that I've been thinking about and working towards for the last few months. A big relief. I'm back and ready to go."

The 32-year-old scored five times in 30 league appearances last season after moving to Gresty Road from Newport.

But after being ruled out of pre-season games with illness, Bogle missed the first 17 games of the campaign and then faced increased competition to win back his place.

The former Grimsby and Cardiff forward made the matchday squad for the first time this term as an unused substitute in the FA Cup defeat by Doncaster the previous weekend.

"There's competition everywhere, so it's not even just about competing to get in the side, it's about competing to get in the squad now which is what you need," Bogle said.

"I've been working hard since I've been back and everyone's seen that. I feel good and getting back to my best self, physically and mentally."

Bogle became a £1million player in 2017 when Cardiff shelled out seven figures to bring him in from Wigan.

Several loan moves were then followed by short spells with Charlton, Doncaster and Hartlepool before two good seasons with Newport caught the eye of Crewe boss Lee Bell.

"I'm really pleased for Omar - he's worked really hard, his attitude has been brilliant," Bell told BBC Radio Stoke.

"He's probably a couple of weeks from being fully fit, but you could see what it meant to the players when he scored and contributed to a good win."