Derby County defender Shaun Barker has admitted that his return from a near three-year injury layoff feels "not far off a miracle".
The 32-year-old trained with the Rams first team on Tuesday, for the first time since dislocating his right kneecap and damaging ligaments against East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest in March 2012.
Three operations and several setbacks later, Barker is "delighted" that he has nearly completed his long recovery, but admits that he will not be absolutely fulfilled until he steps back onto the pitch.
He told BBC Radio Derby: "I'm delighted but still unfulfilled. It's only half a job done, but to get to this stage is not far off a miracle."
When asked how his knee feels, Barker added: "Okay. Sore at times Hopefully it will improve the more I do and the more it gets used to what I'm asking."
The centre-back has played 105 times for Derby and remains club captain at the iPro Stadium.
Joe Fish
