West Ham United striker Dean Ashton has admitted he doubted whether he would ever return to action from the broken ankle that ruined his 2006-07 campaign.
"It was an absolute joy to be out there playing, it's been a long, tough year and I'm glad to be back.
"I don't think there will be a hungrier player in the Premier League this season than me.
"I want to show people how well I have come back from this injury.
"It was hard watching last season, you don't want to see your team struggling at the bottom of the league.
"I was delighted to see how the season ended. From a selfish point of view I wanted to play in the Premiership."