Max Cleworth says he felt mixed emotions after making his long-awaited return from injury in Wrexham's 1-0 loss to Sheffield United.

The defender sustained a hamstring injury in the Red Dragons' 1-1 draw with Burnley at the Racecourse Ground on 8 September.

He missed six successive Championship matches but came off the bench for the second half of his side's underwhelming defeat by the Blades at Bramall Lane.

"Overall it's a bad evening," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"From a personal point of view, it was nice to be back out there after a frustrating break.

"We came here to win the game and we haven't done that, so it's a disappointing evening."

Phil Parkinson's men return to action against Championship leaders Middlesbrough on Wednesday night (19:45 GMT).

Boro are unbeaten in 10 league games, but Cleworth says the responsibility is on the Wrexham squad to improve their form having lost three of their past four games.

"There's no tougher game at the minute in the Championship (than against Boro)," he said.

"Results haven't been going how we'd like over recent times but it's down to us to put it right."

On the back of being sidelined for almost two months, academy product Cleworth praised Wrexham's medical staff for helping him return to action prior to the November international window.

"It's not been enjoyable. It's the first time in my career that I've had a prolonged period off the pitch," added the 24-year-old.

"It's made easier by the staff, they've helped me massively to get back quicker than expected so that's made a difference.

"But even in the good results and bad results, you want to be part of it, so it's been tough not to be involved."