FOR someone who has every reason to wish away the season, James Roberts’s return to the fold at the most important time speaks volumes.

This has been a dreadful few months for the striker.

Talk of hamstring injuries and frustrating loan spells seems completely insignificant in the context of losing his younger brother Ben, who was hit by a car in October.

It goes some way to explaining the reaction on social media last week, when Roberts was named in United’s starting line-up for the first time in 15 months.

Rarely has a piece of team news prompted such an outpouring of support.

Given the trauma, it had been presumed the next time Roberts was seen in a starting line-up would be next season, after a summer off to refocus.

And yet there he was at Newport County, trusted with a place as United put their promotion ambitions on the line.

“The fans have been excellent to me ever since I started last season,” Roberts, still only 19, said.

“The messages I got after everything that happened, it was absolutely fantastic and the reaction I get when I come on it boosts your confidence.”

He added: “It’s been an awful year for myself and my family.

“This is a bonus not just for me but for them as well and that’s important because they love watching me play football.”

Getting through 90 minutes in south Wales was an important psychological hurdle to clear for someone who has been plagued by hamstring trouble since bursting on to the scene.

Roberts readily admits he is some way off the player who netted three goals in two games in November 2014.

The predatory instincts remain, though, as shown by the way he pounced on a loose ball against Luton Town this month.

He was denied by a terrific save, but you would not bet against Roberts snapping up a similar chance as United bid to get over the promotion line tomorrow at Carlisle and next week against Wycombe.

The Hollywood script would see him getting the crucial strike, something which has crossed his mind.

He said: “I think everyone has – even (goalkeeper) Benji Buchel has probably thought about that.

“It’s a very competitive team to get into, so to be in the squad is one thing, but I do like to think if a chance does come my way at any point in the next two games it would be in the back of the net.

“That would be a hell of a day to remember.”

If it happens, there won’t be a dry eye in the house.