Despite a tough battle against local rivals Nottingham Forest in the Second Round of the Carabao Cup, Duane Holmes was happy to make his return from injury.
The midfielder slotted in to the right-back role in the Second Round clash, which the home side won 3-0, to make his first appearance for the Rams since the Play-Off Semi-Final victory against Leeds United at Elland Road at the back end last season.
The 23-year-old’s maiden call-up to the United States squad for their Gold Cup campaign was cut short this summer due to the reoccurring quad injury, but after locating the source of the problem - coming from his back - Holmes is hoping the injury is now behind him.
“It wasn’t the result we wanted, we came here to win the game, but it was nice for me to get back onto the pitch,” Holmes told RamsTV following the final whistle at the City Ground.
“I haven’t been fully fit since the play-offs last season so for me it was a great milestone to be back out there.
“I’m just grateful to be back out there. Being injured is a very long and frustrating process so to get through 90 minutes is a big positive.”
The Rams bowed out of the Carabao Cup at the home of their local rivals following goals from Albert Adomah, Joe Lolley and Joao Carvalho.
After a fairly even start between the two sides, Holmes believes mistakes cost the Rams.
“I thought we started really well, then we got away from what we were doing and they got on top of us a little bit,” he added.
“The crowd got up, we had a couple of young lads and we made a mistake from a set piece. For the second goal, I needed to be better blocking the cross. It is just little mistakes costing us.
“We have got some very good young players here and it is nice to see them getting their chance.
“I think they did alright, it is a big learning curve coming to a big stadium like this, which is obviously hostile. It is just disappointing to not get the result.”
With one game left heading into the first international break, Holmes says everyone's attention is firmly on Saturday's trip to Brentford.
From what he has seen from the sidelines at the start of the season, he believes Phillip Cocu’s squad are moving in the right direction - and just need to bring everything from their work on the training pitch together on matchday.
“I feel like we are playing some good stuff at times and we are just not getting what we deserve,” Holmes said.
“I think it is only really the Bristol City game, when we lost 2-1, where we weren’t the better side if I am honest. I feel like we just need to keep doing what we are doing because we are dominating games and it is just the end bit now.
“Brentford are a good side. We had a good game against them last year away, drawing 3-3, and we know what they can do They are good on the ball, very organised so we look forward to it. It is another challenge.”
He added: “The international break can come at the wrong time if you are in a run of form, but we need to pick ourselves up and get another league win.
“We are not going to shy away from that. We need to start putting the ball in the net more and stopping it going in our own. There is no better time to start than at the weekend.”
