Paddy Madden's back and ready for toughest challenge at Fleetwood

Fleetwood striker Paddy Madden is glad to be back in the fold as the League One season gets under way, having picked up a suspension at the end of the last campaign.
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The Irishman has been forced to wait on a competitive return, receiving a three- match ban for a red card in the play-off semi-final first leg against Wycombe Wanderers

Madden had to watch the wins over Carlisle United and Wigan Athletic from afar but was full of praise for his team-mates’ early showings,

Paddy Madden is available after a "rush of blood to the head" which earned the Fleetwood striker a three-match banPaddy Madden is available after a "rush of blood to the head" which earned the Fleetwood striker a three-match ban
Paddy Madden is available after a "rush of blood to the head" which earned the Fleetwood striker a three-match ban
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Available for Saturday's league-opener against Burton Albion at Highbury, Madden said: “It’s just nice to be back. It was a bit of a strange one in the play-offs but thankfully that’s gone and I’m back involved.

“I just got on with it. It was a bit of a rush of blood to the head. I still think I was in the right but we move on and it’s gone now.

“There’s no point in dwelling on it. It’s a fresh season and you get on with it now. We’ve just got to make sure we go one step further this year.

“The lads have been flying. I was at the Wigan game and the Carlisle one I watched on iFollow.

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“They were two good performances from the boys. It’s good to see goals going in because it makes us all play better. It keeps us on our toes and the competition to be in the squad is a big thing if we want to get promoted.

“The gaffer’s said he needs a few more defenders but the market is a bit of a weird one with Covid at the moment.

“The gaffer got it right in January, so I’m sure there will be more bodies through the door.

“The boys are doing well. Two wins from two, so you can’t knock the ones in the positions at the minute.”

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Madde has played in 11 League One campaigns and believes this one will be as tough as any.

He said: “Training wise, the standard is great and we’re looking good. I was looking at the other teams and I think this is probably going to be the toughest it’s been for a long while.

“Every striker has to be aiming to be top scorer in the team, that’s always got to be the target.

“I was watching the game the other day against Wigan and I was thinking if I was playing I’d fancy a couple of goals myself.

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“The quality that is there, with Mark Duffy coming in, who has been around playing for Sheffield United and was promoted out of this league. Callum Camps looked brilliant the other day as well.

“The signings in the midfield have been brilliant and we’ve made some good signings in the defence already.

“The squad is looking good. A few more additions and we’ll be right there.”