COMEBACK king Charlie Daniels described as a “bonus” his early return from injury after he played a starring role for Cherries at Aston Villa.

The 32-year-old had been expected to spend six months on the sidelines after undergoing an operation to restabilise his left kneecap, following a training ground injury back in April.

Daniels had played just 79 minutes of a pre-season game against Lazio this campaign before earning a starting spot in Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Villa Park.

And the former Tottenham youngster revealed he never thought he would be in contention to feature so early, having first sustained the problem.

He told the Daily Echo: “Saturday was just a bonus to be playing, I did write this off when I first did it so to come back, play 90 minutes and get a win as well was extra special.

“Our fans were fantastic. For so many to come away, the noise they made throughout carried us and especially me.

“I didn’t think I was going to be anywhere near this when I first did it.”

He added: “I have tried to do extra bits with the sports scientists, working inside and outside, as well as in the gym to build my fitness up.

“I hated being injured. I think if you asked the physio that was working with me, I don’t think he enjoyed me after a while.

“I always kept trying to push it, not to ridiculous standards, but you always try to push and see if you can do an extra rep or an extra activity.

“The knee feels good and the rest of the legs now need to catch up. To get through 90 minutes was really pleasing.

“I am taking every day at a time. I still need to work on my fitness. I didn’t play the way I normally play or the way a Bournemouth full-back should play but I got through it.

“Saturday was all about defending because they were good on the counter-attack and especially in the second half they had a lot of possession.

“Us as a back four and Rammers (Aaron Ramsdale) in goal made some crucial blocks.”

Daniels’s return marked his first Premier League appearance since a 2-0 defeat to Leicester at the end of March.

He has played 128 times for Cherries at England’s elite level – only Steve Cook (141) and Joshua King (137) have recorded more appearances.

Asked about Daniels’s comeback, manager Eddie Howe said: “It was hugely impressive. He did very, very well. He had limited training time but his enthusiasm and his attitude had shone through.

“It made me trust that he would play and play well, and I thought he really did.

“He has an incredible attitude and is a very infectious character. He trains at his maximum level every day, gives his best every day – I have never seen a negative reaction from him in any situation.

“I think you need people like that in abundance in your squad. He has never let me down and continues to improve, which is some feat.”