WES Hoolahan is "getting sick of the beach" and is keen to make an impact for the Newcastle Jets in the final third of the A-League season.
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Hoolahan made a much-anticipated return after a frustrating six-month layoff with an ankle injury in the 1-all draw with Melbourne Victory at home on Saturday night.
The Irish talisman produced patches of quality and a couple of errant passes in a lively 30-minute shift, which helped switch momentum back in the home side's favour after they had conceded a 49th-minute equaliser.
"It has been very frustrating," Hoolahan said of the ankle syndesmosis injury he suffered in the FFA Cup quarter-final in September. "I came over here to play some football. To get injured two weeks before the season started was disappointing.
"I am getting sick of the beach. I just want to play some football. It was nice to get some minutes. I have waited a long time to get out on the pitch and help the boys as much as I can.
"I thought we played really well in the first half. Second half we didn't start as well. They changed their formation. Still, it is a step in the right direction. We are playing really well and creating a lot of chances. I look forward to the next eight games."
Hoolahan was given a rousing reception by the 7115 faithful when injected into the game in the 62nd minute for Angus Thurgate.
"It was a buzz coming on and the fans were great," the 37-year-old said. "I was a little bit nervous to be honest. I hadn't played in six months. There were obviously a few sloppy passes here and there. That will happen. To come through unscathed, I'm really happy."
Hoolahan's first touch sprayed over the sideline but the man known affectionately as the Irish Messi quickly got into the groove.
Two minutes later he burst into the box and dinked a deft pass for Matt Millar who was collected from behind by Adama Troare. It looked a penalty for all money but referee Alireza Faghani didn't agree.
"I do not know how the referee didn't give it," Hoolahan said. "Matty makes those runs all the time. Looking at it, I was thinking straight away it was a penalty. The VAR should be looking at that. It was clear enough. The ref said Matty was looking for contact. I don't think he was. He could have had an easy pass to Roy. Unfortunately it wasn't given our way."
Jets coach Carl Robinson was "delighted" to have Hoolahan on deck.
"He is the ultimate professional," the coach said. "He was looking for little give and goes around the box. Another time, probably with a few more minutes under his belt, he would have shot and maybe scored. He made us play in that period when I think Melbourne were on top in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.
" I was delighted to see him back and I think everyone in the building was as well."
Hoolahan was deployed almost as a second No.10 alongside Dimi Petratos as the Jets chased a winner.
"I can never have enough good players," Robinson said. " If you are a good player I want you in the team."
"We can adjust systems tactically. The more good players in the squad, the more we are able to perform like that against a very good Melbourne team. If we play like that, continually build on it and add a few better pieces, then we are definitely going in the right direction."
Hoolahan has been back training three weeks but was only given a final clearance by the surgeon on Friday.
"It was about making sure all the boxes were ticked," Hoolahan said. "That the surgeon was happy, everybody was happy. All together we made the decision to wait a bit longer.
"To get the extra two or three weeks training was beneficial . It's difficult because you don't play under-23 games or reserve matches to get yourself up to the speed. You just have to work hard at training and get there as much as you can. It is a massive difference between training and playing a game. It's a different tempo.
"My mum and dad and sister are over from Dublin for a couple of weeks. It was perfect timing for them to come over. It was great for them to see me come on. I'm not a young pup any more. They have seen me play a lot but it was still nice."
