After his loan recall from Norwich City, fullback Jonathan Grounds was delighted to feature in Middlesbrough's 1-0 win over Fulham.
"It was fantastic to be back," he said. "It was hard work but I really enjoyed it."
Grounds had been getting much- needed match action at the Championship Canaries when he got the call up following an injury to regular left-back Andrew Taylor.
"I had played at Southampton on Tuesday night and got back about three in the morning," he explained. "Then the next morning when I got up I got the call from Gareth (Southgate) and I drove straight back home.
"I've enjoyed it at Norwich. I've had five games there which is excellent for match fitness.
"It's different to training and you are much sharper so I felt ready to go straight into the first team. To be honest I was delighted to be thrown in. It's what you train for."