Fit-again Luke Hyam has reflected on his shock return to first-team action in the midweek defeat at Fulham, which came 19 months after his previous appearance at Derby on the final day of the 2015/16 campaign.
Hyam, 26, will be hoping to continue his comeback — and celebrate a first-ever FA Cup win — on Saturday when Championship rivals Sheffield United are the visitors to Portman Road in a third round tie.
The ex-Northgate High School pupil said: "It was a bit surreal on Tuesday at Craven Cottage. Having been out for such a long period of time it was a bit weird to be preparing for a game — doing the warm-up etc — and to get on was an extra bonus, which made it very pleasing for me personally.
"It was strange and I felt like an 18-year-old kid again, making a second debut.
"It came as a bit of a surprise but it’s just how football works, especially with us having so many players injured at the moment.
"The gaffer decided to put me on the bench but I do need games so I’ll be looking to play for the U23s to help get match sharpness.
"When I went on we were already down to 10 men and losing 4-1 so it was a bit of a keep-ball session for them.
"But for me it was just nice to get out on the pitch again. I’ve been fine since Tuesday but obviously a bit stiff because I’m not used to training every day yet. But I feel like a footballer again so I’m not complaining at all.
"I’ve missed it a lot and I’m not really sure that anyone would understand what it’s like unless they were actually in the same situation as me and experienced it for themselves.
"To say it has been hard is an understatement. It has been a struggle and I’m just lucky that I have such good friends and family, who along with my girlfriend and everyone at the club have been so supportive towards me. I really can’t thank them enough.”
Hyam may have bigger-than-average earnings and a more lavish lifestyle than most people his age, but he insisted that counted for nothing when measured against the frustration of being ruled out by a series of injury blows dating back to the summer of 2016.
He added: "We’re players and we all want to play. That’s all I have ever wanted to do and when you’re not able to play you realise how much you miss it.
"You appreciate it so much more and hopefully, having gone through this experience, it is going to make me a much stronger person going forward.
"I have been in some dark places but now that I’m back I just want to concentrate on the future.
"I want to keep my head down, stay fit and enjoy my football again. Being back playing is great but just being part of the group again, around the lads in training and in the dressing room, is a big thing for me too. The aim now is to get some more games under my belt.
"The hardest part of being out injured is not really being a part of what’s going on. It’s hard when you see the rest of the lads going out for training and then you see them coming back in, laughing and joking with each other.
"It’s quite hard to mix in when you are working on your rehab and not out on the training pitch. I’m out there now and hopefully it will stay that way.”
Hyam also took the opportunity to Town boss Mick McCarthy for his support, adding: "The manager has been superb, not just with me but with all the injured lads, and we all appreciate his support. He has done his best to keep us involved and show he cares. It’s nice to have that connection with the manager.”
He also sympathised with the plight of fellow midfielder Teddy Bishop, who made his first start of the season in the Boxing Day goalless draw with QPR, only to be injured, withdrawn and subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Hyam said: "I really feel for Bish. We’ve both had our setbacks and we’ve become a lot closer over the last year or so because we’ve been in similar situations and we know how each other are feeling.
"I literally felt sick for him when he got injured against QPR. But I’ve spoken to him and I think he’s in a good place. He knows what he has to do and he will work as hard as possible to get back — and I know he will.”