It is hardly a shock that Jack Hobbs cannot wait to pull on his boots today – three months sat on the sidelines have provided the defender with an acute sense of perspective, after all.
But the desire to continue his recovery from injury is not the defender's only motivation, as Nottingham Forest prepare to face Sheffield Wednesday.
The former Leicester and Hull man believes there is also a debt to repaid; one that is owed not only to manager Stuart Pearce, but also to the Reds' fans.
Given that he has been out since September with an ankle problem, it seems unfair for Hobbs to assume much responsibility for the club's recent dip in form, which has seen them claim only two wins in their last 19 outings.
But the central defender, who wore the captain's armband on his return last weekend at Rochdale, is determined to play his part in turning things around.
"The run of form in itself is frustrating and disappointing. We want to put it right as soon as possible," said Hobbs. "As far as I am concerned, the game cannot come soon enough, because we want to put things right.
"We are absolutely determined to prove we can put this right. We had a good start to the season, but it has not gone as well for us since.
"It is a positive; we can take confidence from the fact that we have done it this season. But we want to put it right sooner, rather than later.
"Two wins in 19 is not good enough, but we are still in mid-table and looking at the play-offs. Two big wins would put us right back up there. A couple of good results can move you four or five places up the table before you know it. It is up to us to be positive, but it is also up to us to go out there and do it.
"It is such a competitive league and the margins are so fine. If you can put together two or three wins on the bounce, you can soon find yourself moving back up the table.
"That is a positive way to look at things, but it is ultimately about doing the right things on the pitch.
"There is a determination to put things right. We need to stay positive, there is no point in getting down about it.
"It is important to be positive; to look forward to the next game. We are."
Beyond the game against the Owls today, Forest face a trip to the iPro to face Derby County.
"We are not going to need any extra motivation for Derby, as it is a huge game. It is one you always look forward to," said Hobbs. "But we will focus on Wednesday for now.
"This is an important game, because we are not where we would like to be in the league. We need to get a few results.
"It is a game we are looking forward to, as always. I am sure it will be a tough test.
"It has been a tough bit of form lately. When you are winning and doing well, it generates the right habits; things go for you.
"But at the minute it is tough. It is difficult to get out of (such runs) at times.
"There are such fine margins between winning games and losing them. It just seems as though things have not being going for us.
"But, at the same time, we have not been playing well and we do need to get back on track."
There is no question that the absence of Hobbs, along with Chris Cohen and Andy Reid, has had a big impact, robbing Forest of three of their most influential, senior players.
And Hobbs hopes he can help to fill that leadership void, now that he is fit enough to play again.
"I see my vocal side and leadership as being among my strengths, I am just keen to impose that on the team. If I can help with organisation and leadership, then great," he said.
"We are missing Chris Cohen, our club captain, and Andy Reid, the vice-captain. So we are missing experience and genuine leaders. If you took them out of any side, you would see a difference.
"If I can help, by being a leader, then that is what I will do."
Hobbs does feel it will take time for him to find full match fitness – but remains hopeful that the ankle problems that blighted him, initially, last season are now behind him.
"I was a little stiff and obviously disappointed with the result at Rochdale," said Hobbs. "But I was pleased to play 90 minutes. My ankle held up okay and I was pleased to be back in the side.
"I had not played in a reserve game so I was pleased to get through it, my body felt okay.
"I just have to work on my fitness in training. I had a few rusty moments during the game, which was perhaps always going to be the case when you have been out for a few months.
"It is just about getting back to the levels I want to be at, now.
"It has been massively frustrating to be out, particularly when the team has not been doing too well. It is difficult.
"I want to put my injury problems behind me and move on now. I wanted to make sure my ankle was right this time, I just tried to do everything right and do what I was told. I hope it is behind me now."
The next step for Hobbs is to help Forest put their recent frustration behind them.
