Tahith Chong has opened up on the physical and mental challenges he faced after spending more than three months on the sidelines.
The Manchester United midfielder agreed a season-long loan deal with Championship side Birmingham City in the summer.
But after just a handful of impressive performances, Chong sustained a groin injury that would keep him out for months.
It required an operation and the Dutchman spent some time back at United undergoing rehabilitation. Last Saturday he made his first start for Birmingham since October and took little time in making an impression.
He notched after just two minutes of their game at Bristol City - his first-ever league goal in English football.
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The 22-year-old produced a composed finish as Birmingham won 2-1 at Ashton Gate.
Speaking about his comeback and the challenges he faced, Chong said: "Before the game I was speaking to some of the guys, Lyle [Taylor], Baca [Juninho Bacuna] and obviously it’s been a while since I have started. I came out the stadium was full, I had that buzz, it was a nice feeling.
"It’s wonderful (to play again). When you get injured it’s tough, I was still watching all the games, you are supporting them but on the other hand you want to be on the pitch.
“It is tough mentally, I was just very happy – even when I came out the stadium was full and I have not had that for a couple of months, it was exciting.
"I have come back, the changing room is almost completely different there is new players, some I knew already some I didn’t – and we are getting used to each other.
"We have got good players and hopefully we can just keep building.”
Chong had been in hugely impressive form prior to his injury so understandably Blues' boss Lee Bowyer was delighted to welcome him back into the fray.
“He has been a big miss for us,” Bowyer said. “At the start of the season when we had him we created and we looked so dangerous in near enough every game – even when we lost.
“He was a big player for us and to not have him for four-and-a-half months was a long time.
"He was our most creative player, so to not have him for that long we have definitely missed him for sure. He is very good at twisting and turning, he is a tricky player. When he is fully fit then he is even more exciting to watch. He has been out a long time, I am pleased he is back out there playing and that he has scored his first goal.”
Despite the win last time out, Birmingham look destined for a mid-table finish.
They are on 40 points - 16 clear of the relegation places and 15 shy of the play-off spots - with ten games of their season remaining.
