Ian Holloway has praised the character of Stephen McPhee following the striker's return from a ten-month lay-off.

The 28-year-old played just under an hour of the reserves' 4-3 win over Morecambe on Wednesday, having suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in a reserve game against Manchester City in April 2009.

"It used to finish people years ago," Holloway said. "It doesn't now because the surgery is getting better but it's still a worry. It's an awfully long time to be out with that and it can blow your mind, but he's a fantastic member of the squad who I can't wait to get back. He's getting stronger and sharper every day.

It's been a long road to recovery for the former Hull City man, which is why the manager channelled some of his energy into a specific charity project - the 2010 calendar for Brian House.

"It kept him busy, it kept him part of it and it kept him with the lads," he said. "He was thinking about people who aren't quite as lucky as himself - you can get down and think that an injury is the worst thing that can happen to you. Seeing those wonderful children at Brian House and the problems they've got helped him back on the road to fitness."

Reserve team games are McPhee's best hope of building his fitness and getting valuable time on the field, given that the Seasiders are now at the business end of the season. A loan move could prove beneficial for both parties.

"He hasn't played in the Championship all season and our results are vital so I might have to loan him out," Ollie admitted. "If I can get him a month somewhere where he will get some games and plays on a regular basis - it'd be crazy if I chucked him in for six games in a run for us at the moment, particularly with how well everybody else has been doing - I'll sit down and talk with him about it."

The Seasiders' number eight also told Tangerine Player that he's open to such a move.