LUCIANO Civelli revealed today that he feels wanted at Portman Road again after last month’s change of management.

He suffered a severe knee injury in the home Championship match against Burnley on March 17 2009 and he made public today the agony that has accompanied his long road back to first team action again.

Civelli made his Ipswich Town first team comeback as an 89th minute substitute in Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Sheffield United at Portman Road, and his big smile has returned.

“I’ve had some very low moments and it’s been a long time,” he said.

“Maybe supporters think I’ve been injured, but I’ve been ready to play for a number of months.

“I’m 100% fit both with my knee and in my mind.

“I’ve always been strong in my mind although some people have not been saying that.

“I kept going and did not listen to those people.

“I never had an opportunity with the previous staff, but with the new manager it is different.

“I would like to thank him as he has started from scratch and everybody has a chance – and it’s a really good feeling.”

Civelli hurt the same knee in a pre-season game at Leiston, but has been fit enough to be a regular in most reserve and behind closed doors games this season.

“I was training with the reserves and nobody explained why – nobody told me the reasons.

“It is what professional players want to do to be involved with the first team and it is not just me that it happened to.

“The new manager appreciates me and it’s made such a big difference to me and the squad I think, and I don’t see it as a coincidence that we have won our last three games.

“We all want to play, and we appreciate that it is not possible. But now we know that we have a chance.

“It has been a positive change to the club and I am happy to come into work.

“My head has always been strong and now I want to play more minutes.

“Mr Williams the surgeon in London did a very good job and so have all the medical staff.”

And talking about his injury-hit 23 months Civelli went on: “Now I begin again.

“I have erased from my life the words ‘I’m not playing football and I’m training with the reserves’

“It feels so great – I’m playing again!”

Civelli says that he is settled in Ipswich and is still great mates with Pablo Counago and Pim Balkestein while the Argentinian pal who was over with him - Nico Guglielmetti-Saenz –has now gone home after playing in the SIL for Ransomes Sports last season.

“We looked to get Nico fixed up with a non-league English club but did not have many contacts,” said Civelli. “Nico is now in Argentina completing his studies.”