Harry Worley played an hour as Stevenage beat Reading 2-1 in a behind-closed-doors U21 game this afternoon.
The centre-back, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament at Southend back in August, looked solid on his return to action and was given an hour against a Royals side featuring Anton Ferdinand.
Bruno Andrade put Boro ahead in the first half, slotting home left-footed after robbing the Reading defence. After hitting the bar twice in quick succession the visitors then struck back before the break when a long ball from the ‘keeper was slotted home.
Stevenage came out stronger in the second half and went close a couple of times before Jack Jones fired home from a corner, seconds after replacing Worley. Sam Beasant then saved a penalty after Jones had conceded a spot-kick, with Boro seeing out the game comfortably.
Speaking after the game, Worley said he enjoyed being back out on the pitch playing competitive football.
"It was good. I managed to keep myself to a good standard of fitness, got a bit tired towards the end of the first half but when I came out again for the second half I felt fresh again so obviously the hard work is paying off.
"My knee felt strong. I am not even thinking about that anymore, just trying to push on with fitness now.
"There is only so much competitive match stuff you can do in training so it is more game type situations which is what I need now, so it was good.
"I felt I did alright, the boys seemed happy and it was a good team to play. I enjoyed it."
When asked about when he feels he will be available for first team action again, Worley said he is just taking it one step at a time.
"I don't know. I feel good but obviously I have only played 60 minutes so I don't know if there will be anymore games. I am just going to have to try and get as many minutes as I can.
"At the end of the day after my injury people said my season was over, there is eight more games so I am happy with that."
Stevenage: Beasant, Casey, Worley (Jones 60), R.Johnson, Millard, Gorman (Kerr 90), Conlon, Storer, Yamfam (Akinyemi 75), Andrade, D.Johnson