 Unused in the 2003–04 season, he had to wait until September 2004 for his next first-team appearance.He made seven appearances in 2004–05.McCombe's only appearances of 2005–06 were against Blackburn Rovers in the League Cup – where he only played because of injuries and suspensions, against Boston United in the Football League Trophy – when manager Peter Jackson rested all his first-team players, and on the last match of the season against Swindon Town.