Middlesbrough midfielder Julio Arca has admitted his relief at returning to first-team action in Wednesday's 2-0 home win against Manchester City.
Arca, 27, managed 15 minutes as a substitute following an ankle injury and was delighted to have emerged unscathed from his second-half run-out.
"It was nice to be back and involved in the team," he told BBC Tees.
"I've been out for a while, the ankle was sore, now it feels more comfortable and I'm happy to get three points."
There were fears that Arca's injury was worse than first feared but the Argentine midfielder now believes he can push on and fight for a regular first team place.
"I don't think I will need an operation now. The operation was going to take me three or four months to get back so I did everything I could to miss that," he said.
"I have three men in Argentina who helped me lots and I'm glad to be back.
"Now I have to fight for the opportunity. Fitness wise I'm probably not 100% so I have to be patient.
"But the main thing was my ankle, so my ankle is fine and no matter what I have to do to get fit I will do it."
Former Argentine under-21 international Arca joined Middlesbrough from rivals Sunderland in July 2006 for �1.75m.
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