Denver Hume made his long-awaited comeback in Sunderland's midweek win at Lincoln - with Lee Johnson happy to see him complete the full 90 minutes.
Left-back Hume has had limited opportunities to impress Johnson after picking up a hamstring problem in the head coach's first game in charge last December.
He returned in April but made only half-a-dozen starts before suffering a recurrence of the injury in the League One play-off first leg game against Lincoln in May, which left him needing surgery.
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The academy graduate recovered over the summer but also found himself involved in a contract stand-off with the club when his deal expired, initially turning down Sunderland's offer before ultimately re-signing last month.
That cleared the way for him to resume playing, and after he came through an hour-long outing for the U23s at Wolves last week he made the step up to the first-team at Sincil Bank on Tuesday, helping Sunderland to a 2-1 win in the EFL Trophy.
"It was good to see Denver back and he put in a really steady performance," said Johnson.
"It was important for him and important for us, and we'll just keep chipping away at his minutes.
"You'll see his confidence grow and as that happens you'll see the more attacking side of Denver come through.
"The good thing was that he looked steady, secure and trusted his hamstring.
"There were quite a few where he had to lead with a higher leg or open up and have that burst over 15-20 yards, which he was able to do.
"I think he'll be delighted to get a full 90 because originally the plan was only to give him 60-65 minutes."
Johnson will continue to ease Hume back gradually, and he could be given more gametime on Wednesday when Sunderland face Manchester United U21 at the Stadium of Light in their next EFL Trophy group game.
But summer signing Dennis Cirkin has excelled in the left-back role this season, and Hume will not find it easy to displace the England U20 international in Johnson's League One line-up.
