Middlesbrough captain Jonathan Woodgate has confirmed his return to full-fitness and revealed his agony at not being able to start against Liverpool in September's League Cup clash.
The ex-Real Madrid man, who is no stranger to injury, admitted that his most recent setback was especially difficult because of his age.
“It’s one of those things, but I’m back playing now and believe me it gets harder as you get older to get the sharpness back – it’s really tough," said Woodgate to the club's official website.
“It was exactly like the injury that kept me out for so long in Spain. The injury I had at Newcastle was also the same tendon, but there was a bit of messing about with the injury and I came back too early.
“Our medical team are fantastic and the doctor told me that it was a nasty injury so I should take my time getting fit and that’s exactly what I’ve done.
“I’ve worked hard and I’m back now. I’ve learnt to never rush injuries because I’ve done that before and it keeps you out for a lot longer.
“As I said, I’ve been patient with this one and our medical team are first class – we’ve got a great bunch and they gave me some great advice which I took on board.”
The 34-year-old's injury was sustained in training just after it was confirmed to him he'd be starting in the upcoming League Cup clash with Anfield - a mental barrier that made his setback all the more difficult.
“I was really looking forward to the Liverpool game because the manager had told me I would be playing,” he said.
“As soon as I did the injury I thought of the Liverpool game – I was gutted because you like to play in the big games in the big atmospheres but I took it on the chin and got on with it.”
Middlesbrough currently sit 2nd in the Sky Bet Championship and play away at Ipswich Town on Saturday.