Paul Dummett says he is making up for lost time in a Newcastle United shirt after enduring a nightmare start to the season.
The Toon full-back’s campaign was just seven minutes old when he felt his hamstring tear before being taken off against Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park.
Dummett then had to wait another five months to play again for the Magpies and six appearances later he admits he is slowly getting back to his old self.
Speaking ahead of United’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at Chelsea, Dummett said: “It was a tough spell, starting the season with an injury and knowing I could do nothing or be on the pitch.
“Even now after coming back from that injury it still doesn’t feel the way it did before I did it.
“As the days go on and every game, it feels better so for me I just have to keep playing.
“And hopefully the strength builds up and I can stay injury free now.”
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Since returning Dummett’s form has been steady and his comeback coincided with wins against Stoke City and Luton Town, as well as draws with Brighton and Swansea.
United’s long-serving left-back reflected: “I never want to be injured for that length of time but if you can get that extra bit of appreciation when you have been injured then that’s great.
“I have had that the last few games.
“The criticism will return if the performances don’t stay.
“I have to keep playing well and hopefully the praise keeps coming.”
Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez is looking to make changes to the side that plays the Blues, but there seems to be a determination from within the squad to make sure the FA Cup run continues.
The two-times Welsh international said: “The focus now is on the game on Sunday.
“We have had bad runs in the past but it is up to us to make sure we don’t have those bad runs now.
“No matter what competition it is in, whether it is the League Cup, the FA Cup or the Premier League, we want to go into every game and win.
“We have not had a good run in cups but we have to perform our best to get through to the next round.”