Robin Koch admits his injury rehab and the ongoing pandemic has made it more difficult to settle into life at Leeds United.
The 24-year-old suffered a knee injury in November's defeat to Chelsea and has been out of action ever since after undergoing surgery.
Prior to that, the centre-back had looked an impressive summer acquisition, starting in all of the Whites' Premier League matches.
Speaking to German newspaper Badische Zeitung, Koch opened up on his rehab since the injury and admitted it made life more difficult when trying to settle into a new club.
He said: "It’s a bit unfortunate. In general, injuries are never easy for a footballer, even if they are part of the job. But I’m one who stays positive
"Of course, it’s especially difficult to be injured when you’ve just come to a new country.
"Normally friends or family would have come to visit. Go out to eat, have a coffee. That would have been nice distractions.
"But that’s how it is for many people in the world at the moment. That’s why I don’t want to complain.
"At least I could go to training every day and work on my comeback."
Koch admits that, with coronavirus restrictions, he has found life in England rather dull without being able to play football.
"Relatively boring," he said. "Rehabilitation and training every day, beyond that there is unfortunately not much to talk about.
"I drive to the club area every morning to train and have treatments there.
"Then I’ll go home again. It’s good that we get lunch from the club. I don’t have to cook like this.
"Then I am in contact with my friends a lot, make phone calls, we play online together on PlayStation.
"Of course, I also speak to my family. We’d love to see each other again.
"I often do a second training session at home. A lot actually revolves around my rehab."
Despite this, Koch says he has been pleasantly surprised by what life in Leeds was like before lockdown.
He said: "Fortunately, everything was still open here in the first few weeks. During this time, I also had friends visiting.
"Basically, I’m positively surprised by the city, including the food here, which is better than its reputation. I’m really looking forward to normal life here."
Koch also praised Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa and said, even in their brief time working together, it is easy to see why the Argentine has such a high reputation.
"He has incredible expertise," Koch said.
"That’s why so many other coaches rave about him. How he analyses the opponents, takes them apart. That fascinates his colleagues.
"It is no coincidence that even Pep Guardiola is impressed by Marcelo Bielsa."
