Richie Wellens said he was delighted Leicester City secured a replay against Huddersfield Town, not just because it meant City had another chance to reach the fifth round, but it would give him more much-needed playing time.
The 32-year-old midfielder made his first start for City since damaging his cruciate knee ligament in April last year and admitted he is in desperate need of match action to get back to full fitness.
Wellens had a loan spell at Ipswich in October but damaged the cartilage in his knee on his return.
"This week in training I have felt great and I think that is why the manager has included me," said Wellens, who hopes to be included in the Development squad for their game today at Leeds.
"That goes to show you can train as much as you want but that match intensity hits you like a brick wall.
"I am just pleased to have lasted 70 minutes and got that under my belt. I am buzzing we have got a replay because I might get more game time.
"The Gaffer pulled me to one side after training and asked me how I am feeling. I said great and he said I was playing. All of sudden I didn't feel great.
"It was hard because they played a system which was tough for us in midfield and for the first 20 minutes I couldn't find my legs.
"To be thrown in to that atmosphere was great, but it was also tough. After being injured for so long, you just want to go out on the training pitch and work hard and walk off afterwards not being injured. I think I am over that now."
Wellens was replaced by Danny Drinkwater with 20 minutes remaining at the John Smith's Stadium and he admitted the substitutions made a difference and earned City a replay.
"The substitutions helped us a lot," he said.
"I think you can see that myself, Jamie Vardy and Martyn Waghorn haven't played for a long time. When we three came off, you could see in the lads who came on had been playing every week because they had that extra fitness and sharpness.
"It felt like the ball was landing just half-a-yard away from me. It was very frustrating.
"The Leicester fans have been great again and showed up in fantastic numbers. I am glad we didn't go out for them. We have a replay and a chance to go through to the next round."
