DURING last season's foray into the Premiership, the 'Orns were never short of bad luck. The disallowed goals, the inexplicable red cards and the heartbreaking last minute goals were hard to take.

What really hurt, however, were the injuries sustained during the final few months when relegation was all but confirmed. One of these was the cruciate knee ligament injury to Damien Francis during the 1-1 draw against Manchester City.

But the midfielder marked his return with an appearance off the bench against Barnsley and further playing time in Tuesday night's loss to Burnley.

The Wandsworth-born midfielder has had to bide his time but is looking forward to reclaiming his spot in midfield for the Hornets after a testing time. He said:  "It's been very frustrating but at the same time I just had to keep the focus on getting fit.

"Getting the inspiration to watch the games does give you the motivation to hurry up and get back so that's the way I used it - an inspiration to get back myself."   

Francis had to travel to America as part of his rehabilitation to work with a top specialist as he explained: "The America break was good. I worked with a good guy over there and also the physios here have been amazing with me.

"They've really done their job perfectly with me and they are still working with me day-in, day-out and helping me so a lot of credit has to go to the whole staff really, but also my personal physio, Richard Collinge. The whole staff have been incredible."

Despite playing no reserve games to gain match sharpness, Aidy Boothroyd felt Francis was fit enough to be plunged straight back into the first team for the trip to Barnsley. Finally getting back to playing was a personal relief for Francis.

"It felt really good to be back, it's been a long time coming obviously. I have been out for seven months so to step onto the pitch for the first time after that time was a nice feeling even though at the end of the game I was disappointed that we lost. But on a personal note it was great to be back."

"He [Boothroyd] told me I was going to be on the bench so I was hoping for a little bit of action and he gave me it. I was really happy and grateful for that but I've worked hard in training and before training on my rehab each day, so I suppose it was the reward for all of that hard work."

In Francis' absence, the likes of Lee Williamson and John-Joe O'Toole have performed admirably, so an instant return to the centre of midfield will be difficult, but Francis is up for the challenge.

"At any successful football club there's always competition for places, so it's welcomed by me to be involved in a football team like that, to have such a strong squad because all it does in bring out the best in you.

"Of course I have to compete in training and matches to a high standard but that's what I want to do. I set myself high standards and hopefully they can help me push for a place in the starting line-up."

But Francis is convinced he will get back to full match fitness soon and bring his own attributes to the team before long, "Being out for a while, it takes time. You can't really predict how long it's going to take.

"You have to be patient and I have to be patient myself because I have set such high standards for myself so I get frustrated with myself if I'm not as fit as I want to be, but obviously the more I work on it every day the more the sharpness comes back.

"It takes at least five games probably until you're up to a certain level and then obviously game by game you should get fitter."

'I love scoring goals. It's always been a main part of my game through my career, amongst other things, but that's the main attribute that I can bring to the team.

"I work hard on a football pitch; everybody knows fitness-wise I'm up and down the pitch so I can add that to the team hopefully, with a few goals as well. But that'll come; I'm not really worried about that."

With Watford's recent form, Francis's return to fitness could not come at a more crucial time.
 

BID FOR YOUR PIECE OF WATFORD FC BELOW!