Danny Gabbidon's return to form fitness was aided by an excellent 90 minutes for Wales and he is looking forward to Saturday with renewed confidence.
The 2-1 friendly defeat in Montenegro on Wednesday may not have been a welcome result but it was only the 30-year-old's second full outing since his comeback from 18 months out with various injury problems. There was the added benefit of playing alongside club-mate James Collins and trying out a different formation.
Due back at Chadwell Heath on Thursday, it will all stand Gabbidon and the club in good stead for the big Barclays Premier League kick-off at Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend. "The first game is on Saturday and it is going to be a tough start for us," he told BBC Sport. "I will get back, have a couple of days rest and hopefully be ready for the weekend. Hopefully we will get off to a good start."
"I have had a good pre-season and played a few games," he said. "I am still a little off from where I want to get to. It was a little bit different playing three at the back, I haven't done that for a while so it was a good test for me. I still have work to do and a bit more improving but that will come with the more games I play."