Newcastle winger Hatem Ben Arfa was delighted after he played his first competitive match since breaking his leg against Manchester City in October last year.
The 24-year-old played 70 minutes in the Magpies' 4-3 Carling Cup third-round victory over Nottingham Forest.
"All the year I worked so hard to come back and I'm very happy to be on the pitch now,†he said.
"It was very hard for me and I'm very happy to be back. I hope we do very good things this season.
"I feel very good. I have confidence and I feel I will do very good things now. I'm ready to play now. I hope we continue like this."
Newcastle face Blackburn Rovers at St. James’s Park this Saturday.