After taking part in his first full training session of pre-season on Monday, Kieron Dyer came off the pitch at West Ham United's Chadwell Heath training ground with a huge smile on his face.
"It felt really good out there," he said. "I am obviously delighted to be back and I got through the training session with no setbacks or reactions, so that is a good sign. I was able to join in with everything, from the full warm-up and the keep-ball sessions to the little match we had at the end. I really enjoyed it and it's just so good to be involved, to be able to go out there, get hold of the ball and train fully again."
It has been a long year for Dyer since breaking his leg - he fractured both the tibia and fibula in his right leg during West Ham United's Carling Cup tie at Bristol Rovers last August - but he is putting all the frustration to one side as he targets a return to the first team. "I had a few setbacks, but I have been able to put all that behind me now and I have just worked hard to get through it all. The hard work is paying off because I am back in training and feeling good.
"When I broke my leg last August, I was immediately ruled out for the rest of the season. So, from a mental point of view I always knew, realistically, that I had to look at the start of this coming season to be back in action. If all continues to go well - touch wood - I will be ready for the start of the season, whether that is coming off the bench or starting a game, whatever I am asked to do."
Dyer had a little rest at the start of the summer, but since then has been putting the hours in a bid to regain his fitness and be back in tip top condition for the new campaign. "I had a small holiday, but to be honest, having been out all year I wasn't that interested in going on holiday, I just wanted to get myself fit and be back playing. Everything is going well and to plan with my progress which is really good."
The 29-year-old midfielder said he just took it a day at a time as he battled back from the injury and he is just happy that he is at the stage where he can think about playing matches again. "You do take each day as it comes - it's the way to get through it all. But once the pre-season fixtures came out, I noticed we were playing one of my old clubs, Ipswich Town and I thought that would be a good game to pencil in for my return. Fingers crossed, if all goes well over the next couple of weeks, the manager might let me figure in that match."
Dyer may come up against Richard Wright in that contest after the club agreed to let the goalkeeper return to Ipswich for an undisclosed fee on Monday. While Wright may be on the opposite side, Dyer is looking forward to joining up with his team-mates on a daily basis as the new season approaches. "Most of the first team are away but they will be back next week, so I am looking forward to taking part in a full team training session with everyone.
He added: "I am also looking forward to the banter again every day out there on the training pitch ... the lads are lucky because they have me back now with my good banter."