Skip to content

Championship: Derby midfielder Paul Coutts happy after return at Fulham

Image: Paul Coutts: On the comeback trail

Derby midfielder Paul Coutts has spoken of his relief after returning from over a year on the sidelines to feature in the 5-2 Capital One Cup win at Fulham.

The 26-year-old dislocated his kneecap at Leicester in this competition last term and then suffered a hip problem in pre-season.

However, he came on for the last 25 minutes at Craven Cottage and is now keen to put that miserable spell behind him.

"I have had a couple of reserve games to get my fitness up in the last couple of weeks, but it was absolutely brilliant to be back out there with the boys," Coutts told Rams Player.

"There was quite a mixed amount of emotions before I went on. There was a bit of relief in there because it has been a long road back - over a year now - so I was just delighted to get back out there. I was probably a little bit nervous hoping that it went okay.

"I played 90 minutes last week with the Under 21s and I found the 25 minutes out there tougher. It's hard to come on as a substitute, especially at a tempo like that where you feel it.

"But it was brilliant and my fitness will come back with more games. We have another one now in the cup and there's plenty, week in, week out, in the Championship, so hopefully I can get back out there."

Around Sky