Leicester City defender Ricardo Pereira says his latest return to action feels like he has "won against the injuries" after being sidelined for more than 500 days over the past three years.
The 29-year-old made his first appearance of the season in Leicester's win over Tottenham earlier this month.
He had surgery on a ruptured Achilles in August, his second operation in two years after a knee injury in 2020.
"This last one was different. I felt more wise," Pereira said.
"I knew it was a big number [of days missed], but I didn't count.
"It was frustration at the beginning, you wonder and overthink about a lot of things.
"I saw things differently this time. I didn't have time to overthink or feel sorry for myself.
"I just thought there is nothing I can do now, if I cry for 10 hours it's not going to change anything, so let's smile.
"It happened, I went through that and it gives me more belief that I won against the injuries and things will get better for sure."