Welsh international Danny Gabbidon has come through unscathed after his first match action in 18 months with a charity fixture in Cardiff this weekend.
The West Ham United defender appeared for just over an hour in a Legends match to mark the new City Stadium home of his former club Cardiff City. It was a welcome step forward for the centre-back who has not played since a reserve-team match at Portsmouth on 23 January 2008.
"I have been back in training since the end of last season and I asked West Ham if I could play in the Legends game," said the 2005/06 Hammer of the Year. "They gave me the go-ahead and it was a great feeling to be back playing. The new stadium is fantastic. I love it."
The 29-year-old Gabbidon is set to report back for first-team training this week and will hope to figure in next Sunday's friendly away to Grays Athletic. Since his last first-team outing against Everton on 12 December 2007, he has had to overcome a succession of injuries related to an initial abdominal problem, but was fit enough to join his club-mates at the end of last season.