Jan Kirchhoff was delighted to make a goalscoring return to action in Sunderland under-23s’ win over Manchester United last night.
The German midfielder completed 90 minutes for Andy Welsh’s side and came through with flying colours.
Kirchhoff has been sidelined since the start of October when he picked up a hamstring injury in the Black Cats’ Premier League draw at home to West Bromwich Albion.
However, the 26-year-old has been putting in the yards at the Academy of Light and is now keen to put his injury woes behind him.
“It’s always good for me because it was a longtime ago,” he said.
“I’ve had a lot of injuries this year and I feel like this is my third pre-season now so I’m pleased to be back on the pitch and pleased to be healthy and fit.
“To be injured isn’t nice because you can’t help the guys on the pitch every weekend. Just not being part of the squad isn’t the best feeling but that’s how football is sometimes.
“You have a little bit of bad luck and I think when I played the 90 minutes before maybe it was a little bit too early after my long injury," he continued.
“For me the only thing that counts now is trying to stay fit, improve my fitness levels and stay healthy, they're the most important things.”
