OTTAWA - Jason Spezza is ready to return.

The Senators centre, who suffered a shoulder injury on Boxing Day, will be ready to come back against the New York Islanders Saturday in Uniondale.

Spezza was skating on a line with Nick Foligno and captain Daniel Alfredsson. The club is 1-10-4 without Spezza in the lineup and he said he feels good.

“I’m excited to get back,” said Spezza. “It’s been really tough. The guys aren’t doing well. The effort is there and we’ve got to find ways to win games. Hopefully, I can come back and give a jolt of energy.

“I can be positive in the dressing room and hopefully I can get us off on the right foot and just get a win.”

Coach Cory Clouston said Spezza’s return is positive.

“We need him to contribute offensively the way we know he can,” said Clouston. “That’s not to let anyone else off the hook. We still need everyone else to pick it up in that department.”

Matt Carkner, a scratch against the Detroit Red Wings Wednesday, is out with a lower body injury and won’t return anytime soon.