Smalling 'relieved' to return to action for Manchester United

09/01/2013 11:10:00 PM

The 23-year-old admits it is good to be back in the team after making his first appearance since the end of last term in November and is ready for the season's run-in

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has admitted his relief at finally returning to Premier League action after months on the sidelines through injury.

The England international had been out of action since the end of last season and missed the European Championship due to a thigh injury but has made 12 appearances since returning in November and is looking forward to contributing to the Red Devils run-in.

“I feel good,” he told United's official website. “I’ve been able to play a few games now and it’s just a case of keeping that going.

“The more games you have the more you get into a rhythm and the more confident you feel.

“I just want to stay injury-free now and hopefully go on a good run [of playing games]; there are lots of important matches coming up.

“It’s been one of the worst [injury setbacks] I’ve had. It started at the end of last season and then I missed the start of this season. It’s never easy to miss the start of the season and then come back into it, but I’m fortunate that I’ve started to get back into the team.

“The main thing you focus on when you get back is getting into a rhythm. You’ve missed out while everyone has been playing and doing well so it makes you focus harder to get yourself back to being better than you were before.”

The 23-year-old also admitted that he has been impressed with the side’s performances in both the league and the Champions League in his absence.

“It’s exciting to come back into the team particularly when you look at options we’ve got,” added the former Fulham man.

“Even when the manager rotates things as he does sometimes the players coming in are players a lot of top clubs would want.

“It’s good to see we’ve got such a strong squad.”

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