Yannick Bolasie revealed his delight after making his comeback for Everton Under-23s on Monday afternoon.
The 28-year-old has not played a first-team game for Everton since suffering a serious knee injury in the latter stages of 2016.
Bolasie came off the bench for Everton Under-23s against Leicester Under-23s on Monday, however, and despite being keen to return to first-team action as soon as possible, the attacker has insisted that he will remain patient.
"Playing again was overwhelming. When I got on I felt good. I knew about two weeks ago I was going to play in this game so it's good," Bolasie told reporters.
"There wasn't any nerves! Now that I've played the 30 minutes there isn't any. Maybe before there was some because it's been a long time. Training is training – it's totally different in the matches when it matters so, yes, I'm happy.
"I want to be with the [first-team] boys. Right now the team is doing really well so you're going to have to try to fight your way in but there's no rush for myself.
"I know what my role is because a year out in football means it will be a month or two before I'm really back at it but the main thing is that I feel okay. Just the smell of grass again in the game was great."
Bolasie, 28, scored once in 15 appearances for Everton last season following a move from Crystal Palace.
Matt Law
