Sasa Kalajdzic returned to the pitch after 18 months on the sidelines with an ACL injury to help inspire Wolves to Carabao Cup victory against West Ham United at Molineux on Tuesday evening.
The Austrian forward missed the entirety of last season having suffered the injury while on loan with Eintracht Frankfurt in February last year, but is pleased to have come out the other side of it with a positive mentality and he has been able to put that positivity to good use as he came off the bench to help Wolves secure a spot in the third round of the competition.
On returning after 560 days out injured
“It sounds even harsher when it’s said like that! It was a long time, but now I’m happy to be back.
“I think everyone knows how tough it could be, but I try to find the positives. I had a son, who was born one week before I got injured, so I had plenty of time not to think about myself. I’ve spent the time well, and we’re looking forward to the upcoming weeks and days.”
On getting through the last 18 months
“I appreciate every player and everyone has been very supportive, especially the medical department, and I’m really, really thankful to them and also to the fitness department.
“I’m happy about that, but at the end, I think it always comes from yourself. If it doesn’t come from yourself, then it doesn’t matter how much motivation you get from other people, but I definitely got the support of my mates.”
On helping Wolves to Carabao Cup victory
“It was amazing. It was not the easiest one, being 2-1 down, but I’m happy that we could win. It’s always easier when the team is successful, and for that, I’m really happy about it.
“It was an important win. I’m happy for the team, I’m happy for Jorgen [Strand Larsen], and I think it’s a nice solution having two tall players up front. It’s something that’s a rare combination nowadays, but I think it’s effective sometimes.
“For me personally, it was a good one, but it was a tough one. I can see that I’ve been not for a little bit of time, but it’s getting better and better.”
On getting a first win of the season
“It was a really good moment for now, but I think we can be happy, we can breathe a little bit, breathe through the next one or two days, but after that, it’s full focus on Saturday because at the end of the day, the league is more important than the cup.
“But it’s definitely given us a chance to start the season in the right moment now. Football is all about momentum sometimes, and hopefully we can shift the momentum onto our side now.”
