ALBION striker Craig Mackail-Smith has vowed to justify his club record price tag in the final year of his contract after making his comeback from 13 months out injured.

The former Peterborough marksman came on for the last 12 minutes of the 0-0 draw at Barnsley, which has left the Seagulls five points adrift of the play-offs with six games to go.

Mackail-Smith, signed on a four-year deal for £3.25 million, has scored 21 goals in 81 outings over three frustrating seasons at the Amex.

He told The Argus: “I have been nowhere near what I can do which is really frustrating, especially when you are not playing and you want to show people why they paid the money for you and why you score these goals.

“It’s been difficult both when I’m playing and not playing. The mental side has been harder, trying to convince myself that I am still a good player, I’ve just got to relax and things will change.

“My aim has been to get back this season, be fit and contribute in this play-off push. Over the summer is the time I have to knuckle down, work really hard to get myself as fit and as strong as I can and then next season hit the ground running and actually show what I’m capable of and why the club brought me in.”

Becoming a dad for the first time eight months ago helped Mackail-Smith come through for the daily grind of being stuck in the treatment room. He said: “At one point I thought I might just take a sleeping bag with me and stay there! My daughter was a massive help. Just to go home and see her and spend time with her, knowing everything I do now is for her.”