Sam Lavelle was pleased to make a long-awaited return to action by playing 45 minutes for the Addicks' U23s on Monday afternoon.
The defender played the first-half of the 3-2 comeback victory against Millwall at The Den - his first minutes since undergoing groin surgery in October.
"It felt really good to be back out there,” he told CharltonTV.
"It's been 11 weeks, but it's gone quickly, in some ways. I didn't feel too bad fitness-wise. I've been training quite hard this week and it felt really good to be back out there.
"It's been a good two and half years since I was last injured so it was something I had to get used to. I'm enough to know that you have to keep busy and it's been tough at times watching the boys do so well and you want to be part of it. I've kept my head, done all the right things off the pitch and I've got back out there now."
After nearly three months out, Lavelle hopes to be back as part of the first-team as soon as possible but understands he’ll have to bide his time due to how well the squad have been playing.
"The boys turned a corner when Jacko took charge and I was gutted I wasn't a part of that," he said.
"But I'm wise enough to know the lads have been doing well, so I'll bide my time.
"I'm raring to go with Jacko and, hopefully, I can get back in the team soon. I'll keep doing all the right things and wait for my chance."
Lavelle sung the praises of the team under manager Johnnie Jackson. He said: “I was loving watching it - the lads were filling me with confidence and filling the club with confidence.”
Article by Tara Malins