After more than a month in exile, bench forward Cody Ellis has returned to the Hawks’ rotation throughout December and he is taking the opportunity with both hands.

Ellis finished with a 12 points and three rebounds in the club’s 84-78 defeat to Melbourne United at WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday night. 

He is averaging 9.3 points and 2.3 rebounds off the bench in his past three matches after returning from a stint outside of the Illawarra’s rotation. 

The 27-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of the NBL season, admitted it was a frustrating position to be in.

But the lengthy absence from the court has provided Ellis with the fuel to come back bigger and better for the Hawks.

"I think I have come in with a bit of a point to prove,” Ellis said. 

"The boys are doing an awesome job of getting around me as well and getting my confidence up so that's awesome.

“It is awesome to be back out there with the boys and going to war with them.

"It is obviously frustrating not being able to help so I am just trying to make the most of my opportunities now.”

Ellis is averaging a little over 14 minutes per match through his latest three games stretch and looks set to continue to share minutes with fellow bench forward Oscar Forman.

The veteran sharpshooter has averaged just more than six minutes a game over the same period. 

Forman brings up 500 NBL games this weekend when the Hawks host high-flying ladder leaders Perth Wildcats in a must-win round 11 showdown at WIN Entertainment Centre.

Tip off is 7.30pm.