Alan Tate made his return to the Swans side on Saturday and declared his return as ‘special’
Tate was thrown into action after Nathan Dyaer was shown the red card for a tackle on Jordi Gomez in the second half and slotted in at right back like he had never been away
“I think I’ve played 350-odd games so I was more happy than nervous,” said Tate to the Evening Post.
“My first tackle was months ago in training. I wasn’t 100 per cent in training but I had a go to see if it was going to break. I’ve played my first comfortable 90 minutes for the reserves last week without any problems so I’m back to where I want to be.
“To get back and help the lads to a great victory here is special,” he added.
“It’s been a long road and this is the light at the end of the tunnel. You never give up, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and I feel as though I deserve to be here and I deserved the chance to go on.
“It’s going to take me a while to get back in the starting line-up with the way the lads are playing but I’ve just got to take my chances.”