Luke Freeman has opened up about his "frustrating" loan spell with Nottingham Forest.
The creative midfielder was one of several players to join the Reds last summer as part of Sabri Lamouchi's 13-man influx at the start of last season.
He was a regular feature for Forest between the start of the season and November but was sidelined for two months across the Christmas period due to an injury.
The former Queens Park Rangers man made just 25 appearances in all competitions due to a series of fitness issues and failed to live up to the expectations placed upon him on his arrival at the City Ground.
An error in an initial routine operation, which should have resulted in a six-week absence, affected the midfielder for many months.
Speaking to the Sheffield Star, the 29-year-old has spoken about his struggles at Forest.
He said: "I had surgery and got back and didn't feel right. The scans were saying I was fine, but I wasn't, and it was only when they opened me up again that they saw that it wasn't.
"Then it was back to the drawing board and another few months out. So it was very frustrating because it almost looks like you're lying, saying you're not fit and nothing's showing up on the scan. I wondered: ‘What's going on?’
"I'm happy I got to the bottom of it because I was losing my marbles. I was thinking: ‘Have I gone soft or what?’ I knew it wasn't right, and it was proved.
"It was very frustrating when it was supposed to be a quick six-week injury and ended up being five or six months. It wasn’t ideal."
Forest had the opportunity to turn Freeman's loan move into a permanent deal but opted against it, allowing the midfielder to return to Bramall Lane.
The Reds take on Sheffield United at the City Ground on November 2 before a return clash on March 5.
Do you want an exclusive pre-season Nottingham Forest preview - both in your inbox and through your letterbox? Head over here to find out more and secure your copy!
