GETTING back on the pitch for Oxford United just eight weeks after suffering a serious injury was a thrill for Liam Sercombe.

The midfielder’s rapid recovery from a medial knee ligament has amazed the club’s medical staff and he played a part in the 3-2 Emirates FA Cup victory at Rotherham United.

The visitors were coming under heavy pressure with the score at 1-1, when Sercombe was brought on in the 74th minute.

It was an incredible turnaround for a player who only began light jogging over the festive period.

Sercombe was quick to thank the backroom staff, including Andrew Proctor, who was also the physio at former club Exeter City.

He said: “I was in a lot of pain when it first happened and couldn’t even bend my knee after five weeks, so never thought I’d be back this soon.

“The physio team have done a good job with me and I appreciate that.

“Procs knows I enjoy playing and I’m not one for just running.

“I’m not going to lie, I was blowing a bit but it was great to be back and hopefully I can stay back now.”

Sercombe admitted despite travelling north with the team on Friday, it was only when he got to the New York Stadium that he realised there was a chance of playing.

He said: “We brought a squad of 19, so I only found out when we got here at 1.30pm and saw my shirt.

“I was buzzing to be out there.”