Birmingham City defender Harlee Dean has said it has been a pleasure to return to the club and work under new Blues boss John Eustace.
Dean returned to the Blues this summer after having spent the second half of last season out on loan at Sheffield Wednesday.
It had been expected that Dean would depart this summer, but an injury in pre-season meant a move away never materialised, and he is still yet to feature this campaign.
He did however get some minutes under his belt for the Blues under 21's recently.
It was after that match that Dean offered an honest assessment of what it has been like working under Eustace and his staff so far.
“I’ve really enjoyed them." Dean told the Blues club media,
"Energetic, very concise, all about respect, and he’s the first in and last out.
"When I see that, that’s a big thing because if he’s working that hard it makes you want to follow and work that hard. All of his staff, not just him.
“You can tell by the lads and the way they’re playing, the way they’re together and how it looks on the pitch, the environment around the place.
“It’s been a pleasure to come back to be honest.”
Dean is now set to return to Blues first team training this week, with his last appearance having came for the club last November.
“It’s been a long time. I think it’s almost been a year since I last played for Birmingham so I’ve got to work hard." the central defender added.
“The lads are doing well at the minute so might not get in straight away, I might not get in at all, but it will be nice to be involved and be back in matchday squads and just feel it.
"It feels a lot better from off the pitch to on the pitch; and on the pitch to off the pitch so I just want to be part of it now.”
The Verdict
What a turnaround it has been for Harlee Dean with regards to his situation at Birmingham City.
It looked like he was destined to leave this summer, but now it sounds as though he is really happy to be involved at St Andrews.
Whether or not he will break back into the side remains to be seen.
However, given the size of the Blues squad and the options they have, he will surely be a welcomed addition back into training, even if he is only a squad player or back up option.
With just one year remaining on his contract at St Andrews, it is going to be interesting to see how the season transpires from here for Harlee Dean.