CHRIS Porter aims to help Derby County push their way towards the top end of the table after making his long-awaited return to action.

Porter came on as a substitute for the last 20 minutes of the Rams' goalless draw at Preston North End on Tuesday night.

It was the striker's first competitive action since early March, having been sidelined with a hip problem.

He also played just over an hour for the reserves in Wednesday's 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion at Alfreton Town's Impact Arena.

Now the £400,000 recruit from Motherwell – Nigel Clough's first signing as Derby manager back in January – is targeting a place in the first team's starting line-up.

"I just need games and training now, as much as I can get," said Porter, who scored three goals in three starts before his injury last season.

"Then, hopefully, I can get back into the first team and keep my place.

"Once I get a few more games, I hope I can continue the scoring form that I found when I first came here last season and get some more goals.

"There are loads of games coming up and if you can get a run going at this point of the season, you should be pushing towards those play-off places. Hopefully, that is what we'll do.

"We've still got a few injuries but the majority are getting back or nearly back now.

"There is competition for places now and I think it is giving everybody confidence, because we are starting to play a bit better and the results are coming."

Porter had the chance to complete a fairytale comeback at Preston when he almost snatched a late winner, only to see his low shot saved by home keeper Andy Lonergan.

"I probably should have scored," he admitted. "I maybe should have taken an extra stride or an extra touch.

"I think if I had a bit more match fitness, I would have done that but, as it was, the keeper saved it, so it wasn't to be."

He added: "Both teams had chances and it could have gone either way.

"Maybe a draw was a fair result but we did have our chances and it's good that we're staying in games now and getting draws rather than losing.

"If you stay in games, you never know what can happen. You can nick all three points, which we almost did at Preston."