Enda Stevens feared dropping down the pecking order with Ireland having missed six of the 12 matches last year.
And those concerns were only heightened when he had to sit out the March friendlies against Belgium and Lithuania.
James McClean has also been used as a left wing-back in his absence, so the competition for a starting role is fierce.
But Stephen Kenny has previously labelled Stevens as a “frontline” player for this team and he is back in action for these four Nations League games.
Asked today if he was worried about his place in the squad while out injured, the Sheffield United man said: “You always do.”
Stevens, 31, continued: “There’s always someone younger, quicker, stronger, better than you coming up so it keeps you on your toes.
“It’s competition for places. It brings the best out of you and that’s what the manager wants, he wants those headaches.
“I picked up a little niggle in the first Forest game (Championship playoff semi-final) and it set me back. The second leg was too soon, I couldn’t get back fit again.
“But I had all of last week in with Sheffield United doing rehab to get myself right and fit as soon as possible.
“It’s disappointing to be missing out on the camps and it’s bad timing, but I’m just happy to be here because it’s an honour to play for your country.
“It’s one that I really missed and I’m just happy that I got over the few little knocks that I had and can look forward to the games.”
But Stevens has watched the evolution of the Ireland team with interest while on the sidelines - and likes what he sees.
“It’s good, it’s positive,” he said. “There’s a few new faces, but going off today’s session they will be adding an awful lot to the squad, a lot of strength in depth.
“When Stephen Kenny started, there were a lot of young lads being integrated and they don’t seem to be the young lads anymore, if you get me.
“There’s always been fresh faces coming in and we have added three or four over the last two camps. They have added so much, going from today’s session there’s a lot of positivity there.
“They are adding a lot of quality and it’s going to be a really strong squad over the summer.”
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