"A unique feeling" – Omar Mascarell takes first steps towards full return to training

Omar, you've returned to parts of first-team training this week. How are you feeling?

Omar Mascarell: "I'm doing really well and I've made real advances in the last few days and weeks. Being back out there in training with my teammates was a unique, fantastic feeling. I've worked really hard to get to this stage and now I'm just hoping to be available as soon as possible. I'm really looking forward to getting back into action and fighting for my place again."

What have you made of how Eintracht have been getting on during the last few weeks and months?

Omar Mascarell: "Of course, I've always been really close to the team but when you're only watching and can't really get involved, then you notice different things. That's been really interesting. We used to be a really physical side – and we still are – but we've added quite a bit of quality over the summer and that’s really helped our football. We're on the right track."

What are your personal aims for the next few weeks?

Omar Mascarell: "I'm just concentrating on getting fully fit as soon as possible. I want to be able to complete full training sessions and start seriously throwing my hat into the ring for a place in the starting line-up. That could possibly be the case as soon as December."

And what are your aims with the team?

Omar Mascarell: "We want to pick up as many points as possible by Christmas so that we spend the winter break in a good position in the table. It'll also be really important to continue our current good form into the second half of the season. If we do that, then it could be a good campaign. I don't want to have to pick a final position but we definitely have the potential to end the season in the top half. To do that, though, we have to keep working hard."