Lewis Macleod admitted that the past three months have been some of the most frustrating of his career but he is now looking forward to donning the red and white of Brentford for the first time on Saturday afternoon.
The 20-year-old midfielder joined Brentford from Rangers FC in January but has spent most of the time since in the medical room recovering from a Hamstring injury aggravated by a divot at the training ground.
Lewis returned to training earlier this month and was introduced into full-contact training last week.
Having come through training with no issues Lewis is looking forward to getting out on the pitch again as Brentford’s Development Squad take on Nottingham Forest at Griffin Park on Saturday.
Speaking to Bees Player ahead of the match Lewis praised the work of the medical staff in getting back to full-fitness.
The Scotland Under-21 International said he has enjoyed been back out training after a frustrating start to life at Brentford.
“I couldn’t tell you how much the last three months has done my head in,” said Lewis.
“I am really glad to be back involved now.
“I have been back in training for the last week or two and it is feeling the best that it has felt.
“I am looking forward to this weekend and I hope I can get through the game with no bother and then look forward to the first-team games coming up.
“It was just a little divot and I went into it and overstretched the hamstring.
“That set me back a few weeks but I feel like I am getting back to fitness now and I have enjoyed training the last few weeks.
“The last week has been full contact training but before that it was limited slightly.
“The last week has been good and I have been feeling quite sharp in training.
“Training is very football orientated which is good and that is something that I enjoy.
“The boys have been good in training and it is a good standard.
“I have done a lot of work off the pitch getting back to full fitness.
"Full credit to the medical staff because they have been with me in the gym and doing runs before training and that has helped me a lot.”
Lewis has yet to be involved in a Brentford matchday squad following his move south from Glasgow in January.
However the midfielder has travelled with the squad to a number of away matches while he recovers from his injury.
Lewis admits it has been harder for him to integrate into the group having missed so much football but said that the other players have been really welcoming to him and helped him settle.
“When you sign somewhere you hope that you can go straight into the team but I was injured so spent a lot of time in the medical room while the boys were out on the pitch,” said Lewis.
“In that sense it is hard to integrate with the boys but, at the same time, everybody has welcomed me with open arms.
“I have enjoyed being here.
“I have not enjoyed the fact that I have been injured but it has been good.
“I have been going to the games as well and I have enjoyed going to watch them.”
Lewis is set to feature for the first time in a Brentford shirt tomorrow as the Development Squad take on Nottingham Forest, kick-off 3pm, at Griffin Park.
Should the midfielder come through that with no problems he is hopeful of being involved in a friendly next week ahead of Friday’s trip to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham.
With the Fulham match his target Lewis is keen to get out on the pitch and prove his fitness ahead of the final seven matches of the Sky Bet Championship season.
“I think I will be playing a half on Saturday but it depends on how I feel,” said Lewis.
“I will train on Friday and if it is good then hopefully I will be playing a half.
“Then there is a game during the week and hopefully I can take it on and play a little bit more.
“I can then look forward to the Fulham match next Friday all being well.
“It will be a tough game on Saturday.
“I don’t really know much about the opposition but I am looking forward to the two games.”
After Friday’s trip to Fulham The Bees host Nottingham Forest on Easter Monday before a trip to fellow promotion chasers Derby County.
Lewis feels that these next three games could be crucial to Brentford’s promotion aspirations and said there is a really positive atmosphere amongst the group.
“The next three games will be quite telling on how the season is going to go,” said Lewis.
“The boys are going out to win all the games and if we can that will set us up nicely.
“It has been exciting ever since I came down and the boys have always been there or there about at the top.
“Everybody is focussed and pushing forward and I think we can do it.”