Standard Liege captain Jelle van Damme is relieved to be back after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The former Southampton and Wolves full-back has been out since mid-December with a cartilage injury but returned for Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Club Brugge.

Van Damme’s return provides a boost for struggling Standard, who face a Europa League round of 16 clash against Hannover tomorrow.

It is yet to be seen whether Van Damme will feature, but he was just relieved to be back.

“I was especially glad to be out on the field again” he told www.nieuwsblad.be.

“That said, after five minutes I was struggling for breath but that is normal for as long as I was out.

“Yes, one victory in 12 is indeed anything but good, but we should not start to panic.

“I think we can match what we showed last season judging by our performance against Club Brugge.”

Van Damme’s return also comes as relief to Standard manager Jose Riga, who said: “Jelle always has the enthusiasm to play. That’s one of his great qualities.

“This is also good for the mentality of the group, but we must remain realistic. Who can immediately return to his level after such a long injury period? Nobody.

“His presence brings us a lot. He was given the green light of the medical department, but the mind says that we must be patient.”

Riga should have Ignacio Gonzalez and Luis Manuel Seijas available to face Hannover tomorrow after knee and adductor complaints respectively.

The German side look set to be without several key players for the trip to Stade Maurice Dufrasne.

Hannover midfielder Manuel Schmiedebach will not feature, while former Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz is struggling with a knee injury and Mohammed Abdellaoue is out with the flu.