After my injury lay-off I'm back in training and just in time for the FA Cup.

Yesterday I was able to join the rest of my Reading team-mates and, fingers crossed, I'll be ready for the trip north to Preston on Saturday.

I was glad to be back because being out for a while and away from the rest of the team is not good. Yesterday, I was out there smiling and they were all wondering to themselves, 'What's the matter with him?' then they realised I was buzzing just to be out there.

It's just a shame there are no reserve games between now and Saturday. Games are obviously what enable to get your true level of fitness back.

However, by the time Saturday comes round I will have had five days of training under my belt. I have also done ten days of running and so, presuming I don't pick up an injury between now and then, I will be available for our visit to Deepdale.

That, as usual, will be a very tough game. When I have come up against them in the past they have put out a very good team and Saturday will be no exception.

The match will be a good yardstick of how far I have come since having the knee operation. You can have all the training games you like but you don't play in them like you do in a real match.

We picked up a draw at Walsall in our last game and the manager Steve Coppell was pleased with the performance. Any time you can get a point away from home then you have to be happy.

After losing the previous games all 3-0 it was important we stemmed the tide, especially at this time of the year when gaps between the leaders and the chasing pack traditionally begin to emerge.

The manager brought in two new strikers this week, Lloyd Owusu from Sheffield Wednesday on loan and Dave Kitson on a permanent deal from Cambridge United.

Their arrival is good because, personally speaking, it certainly puts in the forefront of my mind that my form has to improve from what it has been like recently. Competition for places is good for any club and it's no different this time. I was never under any illusion that my place in the starting line-up was a cast-iron certainty, you have to earn your spot and that is what I intend to do.

On a separate issue, I have to say I have gained great satisfaction from both representing my club and my country. One of my most enjoyable and proudest occasions was representing Bermuda in the 1994 World Cup preliminary games.

This is why it gives me a sense of great sadness when Bermudians think I have no pride in playing for Bermuda.

Having just recovered from an operation I wanted to concentrate on getting myself back playing regularly. I wanted to get a consistent run of games under my belt.

I would also like to reiterate that I would love to represent my country again, it's just that the timing is not right.

I am hoping to speak to (the Bermuda Football Association) again and have a more extensive conversation, giving my explanation and reasoning, and hope that we can come to a mutual understanding.

All that now remains is to wish you a happy and peaceful New Year.