David Thompson is chirpy by nature but having a year of your career taken away with a serious knee injury would put a cloud over the most cheerful optimist.

Thankfully for the 27-year-old, Blackburn manager Mark Hughes and thousands of Rovers fans, Thommo is back and full of beans again after starring against Charlton and Cardiff in the past fortnight – his first starts since November 2003.

"I’m not the type to get too down but you can imagine it’s frustrating when you can’t do your job," says Thompson.

"I am starting to earn my wage packet again and that makes me feel good. I’m buzzing and I’m trying to get to the level where I was before the injury. I was playing very well at that time but there’s no reason I can’t be the same player, or better, in the future."

Thompson came through the ranks at his hometown club Liverpool but was sold by Gerard Houllier to Coventry for £3million. In August 2002, he joined Blackburn Rovers and within two months he had been called up by Sven-Goran Eriksson in the England squad for Euro 2004 qualifiers against Slovenia and Macedonia.

That was as good as it got however. Two knee operations in 2003, the second carried out by expert American surgeon Richard Steadman, kept Thompson out for the second half of last season. When he returned against Manchester United in August, an ankle injury then delayed his progress by another three months.

Thompson hasn’t wasted his time on the sidelines though. He’s taken in plenty of football from the Premiership to reserve-team games and learned plenty.

"I’ve watched a lot of games and if I’ve seen a mistake made on the pitch, I’ve taken a mental note so I can hopefully avoid it myself.

"I want to be a better footballer and make mental notes all the time from games I’ve seen.

"My strengths are my energy and all-round teamwork. I enjoy passing the ball, creating and scoring goals. But nobody is perfect and I think at 27 I’ve matured as a player. I don’t have to be as gung-ho to be effective."

There has been a management change at Ewood Park during Thompson’s lay-off with Graeme Souness leaving and being replaced by Mark Hughes.

"There is a more scientific approach now, the club uses heart monitors now to test our fitness.

"We are at the wrong end of the table and every player has to take responsibility for getting us out of trouble.

"I was relegated with Coventry City and the feeling never leaves you. You can go under when the pressure of a relegation battle is there. We have to remain strong at Blackburn."

Thompson has excelled on the left and in centre-midfield during his career but Hughes is currently using him wide on the right.

In his first start, Thompson supplied the cross for Brett Emerton’s header but if Barry Ferguson leaves in the transfer window, he may be moved inside again.

The proud Liverpudlian is also impressed with the city’s two clubs this season, particularly with his old mate Steve Gerrard.

"Everton are definitely moving in the right direction and David Moyes has to be one of the best managers in the Premiership," he says.

"Rafa Benitez has a proven track record and it would be nice to see the board give him the money they gave Gerard Houllier.

"Their future success is dependent on Steve Gerrard. I played in his debut game against Celta Vigo and you could tell he was top drawer then. He was 18 competing with world-class players like Mostovoi and Karpin and he was the best player on the pitch."

Gerrard is now an integral part of the England side as well. How Thompson would love to be re-united with his old pal in the international scene.