STEVE McClaren has described Shaun Barker's return to training with Derby County's first team as "nothing short of a miracle".
Barker has been battling his way back from a horrendous knee injury suffered playing against Nottingham Forest in March 2012 – two years and 10 months ago.
On Tuesday, he trained with the first team for the first time since being carried off that night.
McClaren has praised the courage and character of the 32-year-old defender.
"I have seen some strange things and some miraculous things in football but to see Shaun training with the first team on Tuesday was nothing short of a miracle," said the head coach.
"When I first came to the club, that boy couldn't walk.
"He has fought and battled and kept his spirits high.
"He has always been around the place, he has never given in.
"He trained with us and did OK.
"As I said to the rest of the boys afterwards, that is a miracle, that is character, that is staying in the game and that epitomises what every player should have.
"He could have on several occasion given up but he hasn't.
"He wants to carry on and persevere and get back playing football. He has taken giant strides this week by getting back to a level where he can train.
"Hats off to him.
"To see him out there training was fantastic. It is one of the reasons you are involved in this game, to see things like that."
Asked if he thought Barker would play in a Derby shirt again, McClaren said: "I still think he is a long way from that and I think he knows that but just to play football at some level, just to be out there training with the boys is a huge lift for him and will give him the motivation and the confidence to go on."
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter