Ethan Pinnock said it felt ‘really good’ to be back playing for the first time since May in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Championship side Reading. 

The game, which ended 1-1 after goals from Yakou Meite and Alex Gilbert, was a good chance for Ethan to build up some match fitness and get some minutes under his belt. 

“It felt really good to be back out there,” Ethan said after the game,

“It's been a while but, yeah, it’s good to just get used to positionings and getting a feel of the game, it's really good.” 

Reading’s attack consisted of Yakou Meite and former England international Andy Carroll on Thursday - two physical centre-forwards - but Ethan insisted that it was a good test for him - especially his aerial duels with Carroll. 

“Yeah, I’ve played against them a few times previously and I think it's good. You know that they are big, strong physical strikers and it was a really good test,” said Pinnock. 

He added: "Their keeper was kicking it out long pretty much every time, so it was a good little battle and I got my head on quite a few balls, so my head is getting back used to it as well!” 

Whilst Ethan admitted that it was tough not being able to be involved in the Bees’ good start to the season, he said that he has enjoyed watching his team-mates play so well in the opening weeks of the campaign. 

“It’s tough when you're not training every day and I kind of missed that camaraderie and being around the boys,” the defender stated. 

“But you’ve just got to work hard whilst you’re out and try and do everything you can to come back as soon as you can. 

“It's been really enjoyable watching them perform on the pitch, watching them play well and, now that I'm back fit, I just want to challenge and get back as soon as I can and try and help the boys.” 

Whilst the behind-closed-doors match was a good step in his recovery, Ethan said that there is still plenty of work to do before he can make his Premier League return. 

He said: “I have played a game but it's not a Premier League game, we're still building to get there.

“But, each training session and every day, I feel like I’m just getting closer to being back out there on the pitch in a proper fixture.”