Danny Drinkwater completed 90 minutes for Burnley in their 3-1 win over AFC Flyde in the Lancashire FA Senior Cup on Tuesday.
It was the Chelsea loanee's first appearance since a debut in Burnley's Carabao Cup exit to Sunderland at the end of August.
And the midfielder hopes it is the first step in a return back to the first-team.
"It was good to be back out there and to help the lads win," said Drinkwater.
"It was nice to play the full game and get 90 minutes of competitive action under my belt.
"I need to build on that now and keep pushing up my fitness levels and see what the next few weeks bring."