Wednesday 27 December 2017 23:04, UK
Everton winger Yannick Bolasie says he feels "blessed" to be back after a year out with cruciate knee ligament damage.
Bolasie, 28, who joined the Toffees from Crystal Palace for £25m, made his first appearance since December 2016 in Boxing Day's 0-0 draw against West Brom after recovering from the serious knee problem.
The Democratic Republic of Congo midfielder, who lasted an hour at the Hawthorns, admitted he had feared for his future during his 12-month spell on the sidelines.
"There are times when you don't know when the end of the road is coming or when you're going to be back training or start playing, it's hard to see," he said.
"When I started seeing a little bit of light that was great for myself, then Tuesday has just been a blessing.
"I didn't want to come back and just have my name on the shirt and not be the same kind of player, but I felt like with a bit more match sharpness I will be probably even better.
"It was totally different to what I'd been used to for the last year. It still hasn't hit me, to be honest. It might take a couple of games.
"I don't know when I'm going to sit down and think to myself, 'You're back, Yann'."
The goalless draw against West Brom extended Everton's unbeaten run to eight games with Sam Allardyce yet to lose a match since replacing interim boss David Unsworth.
Bolasie believes his attacking contribution can compliment the defensive organisation the new manager has brought to the club.
He said: "He's got us defending much better and he will probably come out and say now it's about the transition and how we want to play as forwards.
"We were good going forward before but not so good defending as a team. Now we're defending really well, but the transition hasn't been as good as we want it to be."
