After being side-lined for a whopping 488 days, Swindon Town forward Rushian Hepburn-Murphy was relieved to return to the pitch for the first time following his drastic injury woes. 

The deadline day signing came on in the 60th minute in Town’s 3-1 Papa Johns Trophy defeat to Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night, netting his side's late consolation with his first touch of the match.

Despite being on the losing end of the result, Hepburn-Murphy admitted he couldn’t wait to get back out on the pitch in the second half.

Speaking to BBC Wiltshire, the forward said: “I can’t even put the feeling of being back out there into words, it has been so long”

“The gaffer said to me to go out there and enjoy it because of how long it had been and just to give it all I got, and I think I did that”

Swindon’s summer signing has undergone two separate hip operations during his lengthy spell out and only returned to training a couple of weeks ago, however that didn’t stop him from getting on the scoresheet the first time back on the pitch.

The 24-year-old capitalised on a loose pass from an Argyle defender and pounced to slot it past keeper Callum Burton to pull one back for the hosts in the dying embers of the match.

“It was my first touch, and to be honest I hadn’t been in that position for so long, so I panicked a little bit and wanted to get a shot away as quick as possible.

“I didn’t realise I had so much time but it’s just about getting used to being in that position again it then it should come second nature to me.”

After five years at Aston Villa came to an end following his release in 2020, Hepburn-Murphy joined Cypriot First Division side Pafos before joining Town this summer.

“I’ve got nothing bad at all to say about Villa, they showed a lot of belief in me to have my debut at 16. 

“Heading out to Cyprus was a great experience for me, abroad on my own and a chance to grow as a man.”

“I underestimated the standard of football out there when I went, it was very good and overall despite the injury, I enjoyed my time out there.”

Looking ahead to what is to come, the former Villa youngster is sure Swindon is the right destination for him.

“The lads have been unbelievable and been nothing but great since I arrived.

“I need to keep working hard and hopefully the goals will start flying in the back of the net.”