AFC Bournemouth
David Brooks was approaching the end of his comeback trail, only to be floored - along with the rest of the sporting world - by the ongoing global pandemic.
The 22-year-old hasn't played since picking up a pre-season ankle injury in the friendly at Brentford.
However, Brooks was back training on the grass up until the sudden suspension of the Premier League but says he still needs to get up to match speed.
"The season ended abruptly," he said. "Just as I was integrating back in with the team. I’m not sure if I’d have made the Wolves match but I was in and around it and trying to get myself up to match speed.
"This has put a bit of a dampener on where I was at, obviously I can’t train properly anymore. I can do a bit of running, but I need to get back up to football levels, kicking a ball around. That helps you getting up to the standard before starting to play again, which I can’t really do at the minute.
"I had a Wattbike dropped off at my house the other week and I’ve been given a few things to keep on top of. I’ve been going out for runs and I’m keeping on top of my fitness, but it’s not quite the same as playing football so the sooner we can get back the sooner I can get up to speed.
"Footballers have a pretty set routine throughout the year, with the coronavirus everything’s a bit up in the air and I think every club’s handling it a little bit differently. You’ve just got to keep fit for when the season starts up again."
As well as battling back from his injury layoff, the Wales international has his sights set on battling other Premier League teams, Brooks fully aware of what he's missed out on since the start of the season.
"You can sometimes take football for granted," he said. "Then when you can’t play for eight months it puts things into perspective with how much you enjoy going in every day.
"Sometimes you just look forward to the games, but I’ve missed everything about it. Even the little things like being sat in the changing room with the lads before training, instead of the physio room where you’re near enough on your own.
"It’s been a tough six months but hopefully I can get back into the team and, touch wood, won’t have an injury like this again.
"I’ve been dreaming of getting back and helping the team, and trying to score some more goals. That’s my sole focus, to get back playing pain free."
