Abbs was signed by Steve Taylor last autumn but the former Newmarket Town man was unable to make his debut after doctors found he had grown an extra piece of bone that was pushing his tendons out.

The 26-year-old was the subject of a bid by Taylor's new team Wisbech Town during the summer but he chose to move to Hamlet Croft instead and finally made his first appearance for The Reds in Saturday's opening friendly, a 1-1 draw with Brandon Town.

Abbs said: "I did say to Steve (Taylor) that money was going to be a factor because of the travelling. It's a fair old way from where I live in the centre of Cambridge.

"I didn't get the feel of the club as much as I did at Haverhill either, and I know a few of the lads at Haverhill, having been involved last season, and it seemed a better option for me.

"I think Haverhill have got some good young players, with the likes of Marc Abbott and Joe Harvey from last year, and I wanted to be somewhere playing decent football."

Abbs was named on the bench a couple of times during his first spell at Rovers but failed to make it on the pitch because of his injury, originally caused by rolling his ankle.

It was only when he went to a specialist it was found that the bone had calcified and grown in another direction, pushing the tendons out and meaning Abbs needed an operation before he could start playing again.

"I didn't think it was as serious as it was," said Abbs. "But every time I came back I couldn't play so I went to see a specialist.

"Once they realised what it was I had no choice but to have an operation."

Manager Larry Billings is also impressed with Abbs after seeing him in his first few training sessions.

He said: "Mark Abbs is clearly a quality player, someone we can build the team around."

n Abbs should be in the side when Rovers take on Halstead Town in their next friendly at Hamlet Croft on Saturday. Kick off is at 3pm.