VfB Stuttgart were handed an injury boost on Saturday when Ermedin Demirović took part in training after suffering a fractured metatarsal in October.
Delighted at being able to kick a ball again, the 27-year-old spoke to Bild.
“It was great to have the ball at my feet again,” said Demirović. “I kept hoping that I wouldn’t be a neutral player, but would actually be allowed to get involved in the challenges, which was the case which made it all the better.”
Partaking in his first training session since October, VfB’s No. 9 added: “It felt really good. After training, I spoke with Martin (a coach). He was following me the whole time. I asked him if I looked smooth. He just said: ‘Yes, it was good.’ That makes me happy, of course.”
A Hamburg native, Demirović spent the holiday period in his own city, where he trained alongside his brother, Semir, and an athletic trainer.
“It was strenuous,” he told Bild. “We did a lot of runs and training sessions. It was exactly what I needed to get me back in shape. My brother really pushed me when we were sprinting around the Alster late, but he was a good partner.”
According to Bild, Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeneß plans to start Demirović in the second half.
