Birmingham City defender Martin Taylor was delighted for Arsenal striker Eduardo over his successful comeback on Monday night.
When Eduardo fell one year ago, the finger of blame was pointed at Taylor for a mistimed challenge that left the striker with a double compound fracture of his right leg.
The defender told the Daily Mail: "I kept updated throughout the game and then went on a website to see what average marks had been given out.
"Normally they are sixes and sevens. His was about nine-point seven. He must have done well. It’s a relief to see him back playing."
The 29-year old father of three says: "I know in my heart of hearts that it was an accident. A horrible accident. So I wanted to see him playing again. You can never be sure. I was hopeful because of the updates I received from Arsenal. I kept my fingers crossed when he was playing in the reserves.
"But there is nothing like that first proper game because you are never quite sure whether you have recovered or not. I had a feeling he would be okay because he’d played for Croatia last week. I think it lifted Arsenal on Monday night and I can understand why.
"To recover both mentally and physically — to get through that training and to get back to that standard — he has done really, really well. You have to be exceptional to reach that level in the first place. It is one thing to come back and play at all. It is another to play for Arsenal."