Dean Bowditch has labelled last year the "worst of his life" after injury kept him sidelined for 11 months, but now he can't wait to get back into action for Brighton.
Bowditch was revelling in his initial loan spell with the Seagulls until a groin injury forced him to return to Ipswich in December 2006.
After seeing three specialists and having surgery for a double hernia, the 21-year-old finally got back into action nearly a year later after joining Northampton Town on loan.
He is now heading back to the South Coast and sees this new loan stint with the Seagulls as a case of unfinished business.
"Everything was going so well the first time around," he told seagulls.co.uk.
"Things started well with the game against MK Dons, and then I scored the winner at Bradford. It was just great being involved in a team that was so passionate and eager to win games, and I was happy to be contributing.
"But as soon as I left Brighton everything went downhill. What we thought was just a tight groin turned out to be a lot more serious, and I ended up having nine months in the treatment room.
"It was so frustrating and it was the worst year of my life, but I have learnt a lot from it."
Bowditch made just four appearances in a blue and white shirt before the injury took hold, and eager to carry on where he left off when Tranmere visit Withdean on Tuesday evening.
"I'm sure all that is behind me now. I felt really fit at Northampton and I know what I've got to do to stay healthy.
"I'm really looking forward to meeting up with the boys again tomorrow. I know they had a disappointing defeat at Cheltenham on Saturday, so hopefully we can all bounce back by beating Tranmere."
Come and welcome Dean at Withdean tomorrow night - buy one ticket and get another half-price! Click here for details.
