Glen Little made his first competitive start in 18 months for Portsmouth on Sunday against Tottenham. An injury-ravaged spell at Reading followed him to Fratton Park, prolonging his time on the sidelines.
"Ironically, it was Tottenham who were my last start in the Premier League, it's funny I've also made my return against them," he told The News.
"There's been a long, old road since then but luckily I'm back out there.
"I've had a few opportunities where it looked like I might play and had a few setbacks which haven't helped, such as a dead leg which took a bit of time.
"I felt all right, you always know it could be tough going and you might not last the full match, but just get me out there and let's get on with it.
"I felt it went okay, I do feel once you get games under your belt and you get that 100 per cent fit it helps because in the Premier League that's what you have to be."