Lee Evans has revealed the frustration and difficulties connected with his enforced spell on the sidelines.
Evans injured his knee against Birmingham City in August, and returned after four and a half months out to the side that beat Stoke City in the Emirates FA Cup, last weekend.
The 22-year-old says that it was a special moment for both him and his family.
“It was an amazing feeling to be back playing,” Evans says.
“It was special for me but also my family because they’ve seen everything that I’ve had to go through over the last four-and-a-half-months – it’s been a hard time.
“It’s been a good time in my life as well - with the birth of my first child - so luckily that’s taken my mind off things a little but I’m a footballer, I get paid to play football, it was an amazing feeling to be back out there.
“Last year at Bradford was great, we got into the play-off semi-finals and I did well so I thought ‘this is a real chance to have a go at it again at Wolves and make a step up to show what I can do.’
“After around eight or nine weeks I was back in training and I was feeling great.
“I think it was Aston Villa away and I was going to be involved but the day before the game I had a shot in training and I was back to square one.
“After that, I decided I wasn't going to rush anything, now hopefully I've got it right.
“Coming back for the Stoke game - I was buzzing to be playing such a big game, but then I was also slightly worried that I hadn't even kicked a ball for the Under 23’s.
“It could have gone either way - luckily it went really well and we got the result we deserved.”
Evans is now looking ahead to today’s local derby with Aston Villa (5.30pm).
The Wales Under-21 international reveals that he’s taking nothing for granted after being brought back into the squad.
“What a great time to come back,” Evans said.
“We’ve had Stoke in the FA Cup and Aston Villa this week, Norwich next week and then either Liverpool or Plymouth.
“It’s unbelievable timing and it’s something that I’m not going to take for granted.
“I need to play as many minutes as possible now - I need to be playing week in week out and just enjoy it.
“Hopefully that will be at Wolves and ideally I will get back in this team.
“I know ‘Pricey’ (Jack Price) and ‘Eddo' (Dave Edwards) have been doing really well over the last few weeks.
“‘Eddo can’t stop scoring and Pricey’s controlled nearly every game I’ve watched him play so it’s going to be difficult for me to get back in - that’s my job to try and dislodge one of them or maybe play in there with them.
“If I was fit two months ago, I probably would have been alright to get back in.
“I know it’s very difficult because there’s a lot of quality players but that’s my aim for the rest of the season.”
