GARATH McCleary is determined to remain in Paul Clement’s plans and push Reading FC up the league table after returning from injury.

The 31-year-old winger, one of Royals’ longest servants, opened up on his recent injury nightmare and described it as one of the lowest points of his career.

He suffered an unfortunate ankle break in Reading’s 3-1 home defeat to Sheffield United back in February and has been out of action since.

But the fleet-footed forward returned to action at the weekend and played more than 70 minutes in Royals’ 3-1 win over fellow Championship strugglers Millwall FC.

And the Jamaican international hopes to keep himself fit and cement his place in the squad for the remainder of the campaign.

“It was brilliant to be out there,” beamed McCleary.

“It’s been the hardest injury to cope with mentally, especially with the setback I had.

“I’ve had injuries before so experience comes into it. People push you in the gym too which helps.

“Jordan (Obita) is injured too so we’ve been pushing each other to get fit. I’ve got people outside of football who helped me get through it.

“People outside of football don’t see the other side of it. I’m just thankful to be back out there and hopefully I can kick on.

“I’ll have to see what the manager does against Birmingham but I want to play in every game.

“But I know there’s a lot of competition throughout the squad, including players who are on the bench. You have to give your all in training sessions and in games."

McCleary was a surprise inclusion in Clement’s matchday squad for Saturday afternoon.

The Reading FC boss dropped Modou Barrow from the squad amid concerns about the player’s attitude, the Chronicle understands.

And McCleary confessed he only discovered he was starting the game on Saturday morning.

He beamed: “I only really found out today (Saturday) that I was starting but I had an inkling on Thursday.

“I was surprised but I’m happy and thankful that I was included.

“It was a tough game to come into. It was a nice win.

“There are plenty of positives to take, especially Yakou (Meite) scoring two.

“Anssi Jaakola did really well too. He found out late on that he was playing too.

“To come in with a performance like that is brilliant for him.”

Royals now turn their attention to tomorrow night when they face Birmingham City at St Andrews.

McCleary added: "We got the win today (Saturday) but we want to build on that. We don't really look too much into home form and away form.

"We just look to pick up points in every game we play so that's what we'll be looking to do.

"We need to get back-to-back wins so that's what we'll be going for."