Sheaf's emotional Wrexham return after tough absence

Wrexham midfielder Ben Sheaf started his professional career with Arsenal [Getty Images] Ben Sheaf admits he was emotional on his return to the Wrexham side after making his first appearance of the season in the 2-1 victory over Southampton. The 28-year-old midfielder started a match for the first time since February, having been sidelined with a combination of shoulder, calf and knee injuries. "I'm really pleased. I was a bit emotional in a way, being back out there," said Kent-born Sheaf. "It's been a while. I feel like it's been about seven months since I played a proper game. "I came on against Middlesbrough for the last game of the season, but since then it's probably around February time, so I'm really pleased to get out there and obviously it's a great result." Sheaf played 65 minutes against the Saints before being replaced by Matty James as Phil Parkinson's team secured their first home victory of the season. Following his lengthy spell on the sidelines, Sheaf said the psychological aspect of recovery was more difficult than the physical demand. "Probably the mental side is the biggest part. Physically, I've been training for a while but it's that mental factor," he added. "You want to just get involved in the game and play a game to know you can do it again. "I was really happy to get through the game, to get through 60 minutes and I'm pleased the boys managed to scrape the win in the end." Parkinson on Spygate video after 'amazing' Saints win Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac buy Wrexham football pub Keven Schlotterbeck's 89th-minute own goal added to Kieffer Moore's header in the first-half as Wrexham delivered the perfect response to their 6-0 loss at West Ham United eight days earlier. Tonda Eckert's side spurned numerous opportunities to win the game having equalised through James Ward-Prowse's strike shortly after half-time at the Racecourse Ground. And while Wrexham rode their luck at times, Sheaf felt the character his team-mates showed to clinch all three points was pivotal on the back of their hefty defeat by the Hammers earlier in September. "We've been under some pressure since that West Ham game," he explained after the Southampton victory. "We've probably not picked up as many points as we'd have liked as a group, but I think we just showed real good character today. "We weren't at our absolute best going forward but I think we did the basics well, showed good character and I'm really pleased with the result and how we handled the game." The extended international break will provide Sheaf with additional time to work his way back to full match fitness. Despite his encouraging return to action, the former Coventry City player feels he is still some way off his peak levels. "I'll almost treat it like a mini pre-season," Sheaf said of the three-week international window. "It'll look a bit different to what the other lads will do because they've had proper match minutes. "I still think I've definitely got a bit to go. I'm sure it'll be a good few more games until I'm really firing and feeling fit. "But I felt like I did OK today [against Southampton]. There's still lots for me to get better at, but I've got to take the positives because, like I say, it's been a while." Latest Wrexham news, analysis and fan views Listen to Wrexham interviews, news and discussion on BBC Sounds