Delighted Wolves winger Michael Kightly today expressed his relief at making his comeback after admitting: “I feared retirement”.

Kightly sailed through a planned 45 minutes in the reserves’ 3-3 draw against Manchester United at Telford last night.

The game was the 25-year-old’s first since November 2009 and left the former England Under-21 international feeling ‘the happiest man in the world.’

“I felt fine – I wanted to play 60 minutes but Steve Kemp (head of medical) said that was enough,” said Kightly, who suffered patella inflammation in both knees.

“I expected to have pain and I didn’t and I’m the happiest lad in the world at the minute. I’m playing again on Monday against Blackburn so maybe I’ll look to play a bit longer.

“I don’t want to get carried away because I’ve only played 45 minutes, but things are looking good.”

Kightly’s ecstatic reaction was in contrast to his emotions over the last 16 months.

Asked if there was ever a time when he didn’t think he’d pull through, he said: “Definitely. I haven’t said this before but I did question whether I might play again.

“I can’t explain how tough it’s been for me over these last 16 months.

“It’s quite frightening what I’ve gone through, mentally as well as physically. I’d tried four or five different treatments to get rid of the pain and they didn’t seem to work.

“Hopefully someone is looking down on me and giving me a second chance.

“But I can’t get carried away I’m not right yet. Maybe after playing 10-15 games of first-team football I can start celebrating.”

By TIM NASH