OLDHAM goalkeeper Gary Woods looked to the bigger picture after making his return from injury.

The former Hamilton Academical man was back in the Latics side for the 1-1 draw at home to Forest Green Rovers, Dino Maamria’s side denied all three points by a late George Williams goal.

Having been ruled out with a rib injury since the 0-0 draw at Stevenage on January 14, the 29-year-old returned on Saturday in place of the under-fire Zeus de la Paz.

While pleased to be back, Woods returned well aware of the plight Latics – 18th in League Two – find themselves in, having gone into the Forest Green game on the back of a 5-1 defeat at Exeter.

“It’s a frustrating part of being a professional football player, you get injured,” said the keeper, likely to keep his place for Saturday’s trip to one of his former clubs Leyton Orient.

“I trained Thursday and Friday and then played this game, so on a personal level I was pleased with my performance but it’s not just about individuals, it’s about us as a team and we need to start to getting more wins than we’re doing now.

“We showed good spirit after a difficult week beforehand and can’t fault the effort but that’s the minimum we expect every game. We shouldn’t be getting praised for our effort because that’s the only thing you’re in control of directly, but we stopped the rot of two straight defeats.”

The game against Forest Green saw Woods play with Salford City loanee Carl Piergianni for the first-time.

The 27-year-old central defender is part of a new-look backline formed in recent weeks, with borrowed Manchester United defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson slotting in at left-back.

Woods liked what he saw and hopes it is a sign of things to come.

“Pidge has come in and had a big impact on the dressing room, he’s a leader and he gives absolutely everything every game,” he told the club.

“He’ll put his head where it hurts. As a back four they played well and part of the problem this season is we’ve had an unsettled defence which never helps whether it’s injuries, loss of form or whatever.

“But I can see the makings of a real solid back four now so hopefully it can continue and carry on like that.”