Dean Windass was delighted to return from injury in Saturday's 5-0 win against Southampton.

Windass brought to an end a seven-game absence as he replaced the injured Craig Fagan and he was pleased to end his frustrating time on the sidelines.

"I'm absolutely delighted," said Windass.

"I would have only been on the bench if Craig Fagan had been fit, but unfortunately he got injured in training on Friday and I didn't know until Saturday morning.

"The manager had a word with me before the game and asked me if I wanted to start and I said yes.

"He said I'd play 60 minutes, so I had a go at him when he brought me off after 59! But I'm delighted to get back playing because the last month has been a bleak one.

"There was a point when I thought I wouldn't play again this season, but everybody has looked after me brilliantly."

Windass was also delighted with the style in which the Tigers disposed of Southampton.

Goals from Fraizer Campbell, Henrik Pedersen, Michael Turner, Dean Marney and Bryan Hughes fired City to their biggest win for more than three years and Windass was happy to be part of it.

"First and foremost, the lads were absolutely delighted with the clean sheet. But to score the goals we did capped off a great day.

"We were playing against a good side and we found that out when they battered us 4-0 at their place.

"So there was a score to settle, but we'd have just been happy with a 1-0 because we know we need to keep winning games.

"I've been in the game for 18 years now and I don't get carried away with anything. There's a lot of hard games coming up and you have to just keep ticking along."