Marcus Maddison performs U-turn and targets comeback after quitting at just 27

Marcus Maddison won plenty of plaudits earlier this year when he opened up about turning his back on the professional game.

The former Peterborough, Bolton and Charlton midfielder went from playing in the Championship to dropping down into the eighth tier in the space of just over a year.

He did so by choice, indicating that he fallen out of love with football. He since joined non-league side Spalding United.

He has been out of action recently because of a knee injury but on Monday night Maddison took to social media to announce that he was targeting a comeback in the professional ranks.

Posting on Instagram, Maddison uploaded a picture of himself at work in the gym.

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He wrote a caption accompanying it, saying: "After being out of the game due to injury and mental health, I've decided I want to go back.

"I need to get over my injury first. I'm working on my knee issues currently and come the new year I will really start to work on my fitness.

"I'm looking forward to the 2022-23 season wherever I end up."

In an open and honest interview with sportBIBLE earlier this year Maddison opened up about how he had lost his love for the beautiful game.

Maddison said: "The love for football probably hasn't been there for a long time.

"It has a job for maybe three or four years. It's nice to come out of it, to be honest.

"I played better when I was happy. When you do what you want, and when you enjoy life, it shows in the performances.

"I always found when I tried to do everything correctly, and I did what everyone wanted me to do, my performances dipped because I was keeping everyone else happy and not myself.

"I believe I've had my time. I know I'm only 27 and this is meant to be my prime, but I've tried my hardest with my ability. If you're not going up the levels, it's not for you."

But more than four months on from those sobering words, Maddison appears to now be ready to make a return.

His last competitive outing was in April when he played 45 minutes for Bolton in a League Two game with Harrogate.

Since then he has linked up with Spalding and upon being unveiled he was happy with the arrangement.

He said in July: "It's part-time so it's not a huge commitment. It's everything I want from football at the minute.

"A relaxed atmosphere, have a laugh, play well and just get back to enjoying what football is actually all about."