THINGS are finally starting to look up for Jay DeMerit!

Only a few games into the season, he picked up a groin injury while on international duty with the USA.

However, his return was dealt a further blow as the defender sustained an eye infection to his cornea in September, which not only required surgery, but threatened to keep him on the sidelines until early 2010.

However, he has made a remarkable recovery only three months later and was called upon as a substitute in Monday night's win over QPR.

And he was delighted to be back in action, "It's been a long couple of months" said the defender.

"When those kinds of things happen all you can think about is just that first game you come back.

"Thankfully everything went well as far as the recovery goes and I'm more than happy to be back out there."

Was he surprised that he returned earlier than expected? "Yes, but modern day technology does wonderful things and thankfully I've had the best medical attention that's available to me, which I'm very fortunate for and obviously there were no complications, everything went well.

"My body healing in the right ways definitely was a factor, and all those things aligned got me back sooner than later!"

While it certainly does not go onto the list of typical football injuries, it was incredibly serious as initial diagnosis raised question marks over his footballing career.

He said: "There are initial concerns of 'I might never play again' which is definitely no fun to hear.

"There were concerns immediately that I would have permanent blurred vision - which I would have if I wouldn't have had the transplant surgery.

"Again, I was fortunate enough to have the best surgeons to do those types of surgeries and to make sure they go to plan.

"Of course it's always a risk to go into surgery, but if I was going to play again I had to take those risks so I was more than happy to do so. And I'm definitely happy with the recovery."

At the time of the injury, DeMerit had established himself with the national side after a successful summer in the Confederations Cup, where USA made it to the final, losing 3-2 to Brazil.

Being ruled out for several months, the forthcoming World Cup must have crossed DeMerit's mind, but he chose to take a positive out of his injury.

He commented: "I've had busy summers for the past three years and I've had two-and-a-half months off now.

"Obviously I look at the silver lining of the situation and say yes that's bad timing but when can injuries come at a good time?

"You need to make the most of it and I tried to make the most of my 'break' to rest, heal and strengthen my body in areas that I have problems with.

"So I used these last couple of months to do that and hopefully now I won't have any more problems until the World Cup."

He is also looking forward to a good season with Watford and is happy with how the team have been performing so far.

"It's been great and to bring Heidar in on loan and to have the other guys starting to hit more of a consistent form; I think that's been the main key.

"At the beginning of the season we were kind of in one week out the next.

"But that's what happens when you have young players, they need to find their feet.

"The likes of Tom and Henri and those types of players have more than found their feet and now have the confidence to perform every week and they're doing it week in week out and of course that only helps us."

His return to action will not only boost Watford's chances of securing a play off place, but will bring him back in contention for the World Cup.

The group draw was definitely of interest to Jay, as he looks forward to playing England, Algeria and Slovenia next summer.

"It's a small world with all three teams that we play. Obviously Hameur (Bouazza) might make it for the Algerians, obviously Jure's (Travner) Slovenian.

"I've been in Jure's ear all week trying to get some information out of him, I'm sure that will intensify as the year goes on.

"And then to get England, obviously on a personal level, is really special. Ultimately again, it's about trying to stay fit and trying to stay healthy so I can be on the pitch for that game on June 12th."

Article by Olga Mirzoian

BID FOR YOUR PIECE OF WATFORD FC BELOW!