STEVEN Reid has spoken of his relief at playing almost an hour of competitive football for the first time in over a year.

The Blackburn Rovers midfielder has spent 14 months on the sidelines recovering from a succession of long-term injuries.

During his recovery from a back injury, which he sustained in August last year, he suffered cruciate knee ligament damage in a freak training ground accident in January. His comeback was curtailed further when he picked up a hamstring injury in pre-season.

But after having an entire season of his career written off, the 27-year-old has emerged from his injury hell more determined than ever.

"I was a little bit controlled out there, feeling my way in a little bit, but it was nice to get plenty of touches of the ball," said Reid, who played for the first 55 minutes of Rovers' second string's 5-0 win over Sunderland Reserves.

"It's just brilliant to be back out there, and hopefully it won't be long before it's for real on a Saturday afternoon.

"I'd like to say it would be next week but I've still got quite a bit of work to do on my hamstring - a bit of strength work - but after that it actually feels like you're a footballer again and I can see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

"I didn't sleep the last couple of nights - I've been this close before to playing; I didn't train today just in case anything happened. It's just a big relief.

"Earlier on in the day I was wishing it was the day after, but to play an hour, I feel brilliant."

He added: "It's been an unbelievable year really. It's made me so much more mentally stronger and it makes you realise what's important and how important playing football is.

"I've just missed a season and I'm not going to pass up the opportunity to train every day and play every game international wise and for the club - I just want to play as long as I can now.

"Hopefully these injuries will make me a stronger player."