Watford midfielder Tom Cleverley was delighted with his goal for victory at Crystal Palace.

Cleverley drew a line under almost 12 months of frustration caused by a long-standing Achilles injury with a stunning volley.

He remarked, “It's been a ­really tough 11 months with the injury, surgery and then long rehab. But that moment makes the long road back worth it. All the hard work has paid off.

“Every pre-season and every year around Christmas time, it was bothering me. It was just wear and tear. I was trying to do manual rehab for the first few months but it just wasn't working. So I had to have surgery in July.

“That comes with four to six months rehab, taking me to the end of November before I was able to try to get back in the squad. But it feels as good as new so hopefully all that's behind me and I can look forward.

“It makes you appreciate the game more, massively. There were some real low points when I felt as though I had no purpose.

“My job, apart my ­family, is the most important thing to me and when you can't do it you haven't really got any targets or goals in life. You now appreciate every day – even when you are just kicking a ball in training.

“We take our fitness for granted sometimes.

“I know people have far worse problems, but when you're a footballer coming back from injury, it takes over your life.Even in the summer, one of the physios came on ­holiday with me and my family so I could continue my rehab."