HENRY TRINDER was ‘blown away’ by the reception he received from the Kingsholm faithful when he made his latest comeback from injury in Gloucester’s European Challenge Cup victory over Zebre.

Trinder emergence from the replacements’ bench with 20 minutes remaining brought the biggest cheer of the game.

And he showed glimpses of the pace and power which put him on the cusp of a full England place before the latest of his many setbacks. Fortunately, Trinder left the field on his own two feet rather than a stretcher.

The 26-year-old fractured his shoulder in September 2014 just after making Stuart Lancaster’s squad for the autumn tests.

Then his comeback was hampered by a hamstring injury in a warm-up game for his former college Hartpury.

But the cruellest blow of all came when his full comeback against London Welsh last February ended after just seven minutes.

Many in the Kingsholm crowd felt they had probably seen the last of the supremely-talented centre. And when the full extent of the injury was revealed Trinder began to believe that too.

He had torn his anterior, posterior and lateral cruciate and detached both his hamstring and Iliotibial band.

But some four months ahead of even the more optimistic predictions, Trinder was back in competitive action last Saturday.

And didn’t the fans make their feelings known. The Kingsholm crowd loves nothing more than a home grown talent and Trinder is a Gloucestershire lad, from Bagendon near Cirencester where he played his junior rugby for the town club, while attending Kingshill School.

“To get a reception like that back in front of Kingsholm was awesome, that’s what all the hard work has gone towards and I was glad to be back out there,” said Trinder.

“I haven’t had any hiccups and was in great hands with head of physio Bob Stewart – he’s done magic and miracles and got me back out on the pitch.

“It meant a lot to me personally, it shows they still remember me and knowing I have that support behind me shows what I have to look forward to.”

Part of Trinder’s rehab was to spend two weeks in Philadelphia with the renowned knee specialist Bill Knowles whose client list includes Jonny Wilkinson and Tiger Woods.

Trinder also used his down time to get married in the States and he was quick to pay tribute to the part played in his recovery by Ryann his wife.

“My wife waited on me hand and foot and has got me to where I am. If it wasn’t for her I would probably still be on the sofa moaning,” he said.

For the moment Trinder is just excited to leave the field in one piece but he hopes to be involved again when Gloucestershire play La Rochelle on Thursday.

“To play 20 minutes was the plan this week and it went well,” he said. “Whenever they want to use me again I will look forward to it.”