It was 183 days since he last played a senior game for Watford, but the 19-minute cameo that Tom Cleverley achieved yesterday against Blackburn put a smile on his face, even if the draw was disappointing.
And it was the also the first time the club captain has played a senior game under head coach Slaven Bilic.
“It was really pleasing to be back involved, especially to come back here at home,” said Cleverley.
“It’s the first time I’ve played under Slaven Bilić and I’ve been really enjoying the training over the past few weeks, being back with the boys and even the whole experience of travelling and being in the hotel last night. It’s nice to feel like a footballer again.”
The midfielder said that Blackburn’s goal enabled them to start running the clock down from a long way out.
“I think Blackburn had one real threat and chance in our box and they scored it,” he said.
“Up against any team in this league, it’s difficult when you concede the first goal.
“They frustrated us with a lot with their timewasting ploys, but fair credit to them because I thought they were quite decent in the first half and then we really pushed in the second half, but we couldn’t quite get a winner.
“When I went on the manager asked me to keep the shape, because it turned into basketball in the last period.
“We want to win which was pleasing to see, and he said let’s keep the pressure on. We did, and I thought that once we scored one we would definitely win the game, so I’m disappointed we didn’t.
“These next few games will be difficult, but we can take confidence with how we have accumulated points over these teams at the start of the season. There are no easy games in this league and hopefully we can pick up some points.”
Cleverley’s long absence included surgery on his Achilles’, five years after having the same procedure on the other one.
“I tried for six weeks or so to manually treat this injury, but it needed surgery in the end.
“Now I feel like there is nothing in the way for the rest of my career. It has always been a little niggle of mine, my Achilles’ tendons.
“My teammates, going to Spain with them in November, helped me through it alongside my family and also the medical team at Watford. Lee Stafford especially in the gym gave me a great rehab. I feel as good as ever.”
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