Freddie Sears played 45 minutes and Ben Morris and Grant Ward an hour each as they made their returns after lengthy spells out with ACL injuries as Town's U23s were beaten 4-1 by Millwall at The Den, Ben Folami netting the Blues’ goal.
Sears, 30, had been out since the Norwich game in February, while fellow striker Morris, 20, suffered his injury in the same month.
Midfielder Ward, who was injured at QPR on Boxing Day, was released at the end of last season but has remained at Playford Road with clubs obliged to get players fit before they depart.
The 25-year-old featured as a trialist with manager Paul Lambert having previously played down the chances re-signing the former Tottenham man.
The Lions took the lead in the 25th minute when George Alexander netted from the spot after Connor O'Reilly had fouled Junior Tiensia. Millwall doubled their advantage on 63 when Dan Moss hit home following a corner.
Folami pulled a goal back for the Blues three minutes later, the Australian U23 international following up after Bailey Clements’s effort had struck the bar.
But Harvey Bradbury made it 3-1 on 76 and with two minutes left on the clock Tiensia netted the Lions’ fourth.
Sears unsurprisingly put in a relatively understated display but will pleased to have finally got back into match action, as will Morris and Ward.
Former West Ham and Colchester man Sears is likely to need one or two more U23s games before being considered for the first team squad but may well be ready to be considered for involvement nearer to the busy Christmas-New Year period.
U23s: Przybek, O'Reilly, Fehrenbach, Ndaba, Clements, Hughes, Gibbs, Ward (Scott 60), Folami, Sears (K Brown 46), Morris (Foudil 60). Unused: Stewart, Alley.