Sam Saunders said he was delighted to be back in training and hailed Brentford’s medical team for their work in getting him back to fitness.
Sam resumed training with the First Team group on Monday and spoke to Bees Player on Tuesday after his second session.
He has not played for The Bees since January and has been troubled by a knee problem which has caused him to be out of action for ten months.
Sam said it appeared his problem had been solved at the end of last season but he had a reaction during the pre-season training camp in Florida.
Sam was facing a knee operation but managed to avoid after speaking to specialists and was now back in training, albeit there was still more to be done to ensure he was back fit and stayed fit.
“I am very good,” said the midfield player.
“I have just come in from my second day of training and I am so happy to be out there.
“It has been a long, hard ten months.
“It has been the lowest, by far, of my career.
“I am delighted to be back out there training.
“We are not out of the woods yet.
“There are lots of things I need to do and work on; even when I am back I will continue doing them.
“I will do all the hours it takes to make sure I am right, get back fit and stay fit.
“The medical team have been very good.
“There were some dark months.
“At the end of last season we thought everything was fine, I went away and enjoyed the summer.
“I did my work before pre-season to be ready and then after five sessions in Florida I had an almighty swelling on the knee.
“We don’t even know what caused it.
“I was back to square one; we didn’t know what to do.
“We saw specialists – there was another operation booked but we didn’t want to go in again – and tried other options.
“We have the best medical department we could have.
“I have done lots of strength and conditioning work to build up my quads and help my knee and so far it has gone very well.”
Sam has been running with Nico Yennaris and Tommy Smith, who have also been injured, after time spent in the gym on his own.
He said he was “buzzing” to be out with the full group and now wanted to get stronger so he could start playing matches for the Development Squad and building up to First Team action.
“I have trained on my own or with Tommy and Nico, who have also been injured, and done some running,” said Sam.
“It was good to put a pair of boots on.
“There have been lots of dark hours in the gym on my own.
“I was buzzing to be out there with the players and the gaffer again.
“It is good to be back out there training.
“I can’t wait to get fitter, stronger and start playing games.”
Sam said he had watched Brentford in the Sky Bet Championship and was confident about what was to come.
The Bees are tenth in the table with 17 points from 11 games.
They are four points off the top and, having had some back luck with decisions plus conceding goals to long-range strikes, could be even higher.
“I have been looking at fixtures and wondering where I can get back and start making an impact,” said Sam.
“I am getting the buzz back.
“I am looking forward to the future.
“The lads have been brilliant.
“I have seen the home games and we have played some great football.
“I think the Championship suits us, we have great attacking players and they have time on the ball.
“The quality is not an issue.
“We have made mistakes that have cost us and we know we could be better off.
“That has to give us confidence for the rest of the season.”
Bees Player subscribers can see an interview with Sam Saunders here.