Wolves star Jamie O'Hara 'stronger than ever'

Jamie O'Hara today insisted he feels stronger than ever as he continues his Wolves comeback.

The £5m former Tottenham midfielder made his return after nine months out in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Wigan on Tuesday, winning and scoring a penalty in a 45-minute run-out.

O'Hara admitted his groin is never likely to be the same after three operations in the last year but, revealed he has compensated in other areas to feel as good as ever.

"There have been a lot of ups and downs and a lot of setbacks and I'm nearly there now," said the 26-year-old.

"Hopefully I can get a few more games under my belt and from there it will be up to the gaffer.

"I came through the 45 minutes alright.

"The groins are never going to be the same again – I've had three operations which isn't ideal.

"But with the work I've been doing with (Wolves head of medical) Phil Hayward – who's been fantastic – it's the strongest I've ever felt in terms of my leg power and quads.

"And I've lost a stone in weight as well.

"I'm feeling good and have just got to keep on top of it now every day by doing extra work on my groin and my leg.

"If I just do the extra treatment, then that's the way I can be for the next 10 years."

O'Hara made an aborted comeback in a pre-season friendly at Walsall in July but admitted he didn't feel right before undergoing his third bout of surgery in August.

"I wanted to show the gaffer what I was about but I wasn't right and I wasn't in the right frame of mind," he said.

"I wasn't comfortable even passing the ball and that was when we made the decision to really get it sorted out.

"Now I feel sharp and fit and hopefully the gaffer is going to start seeing what Jamie O'Hara is all about."

Now O'Hara is hoping to show the fans his true form.

"They saw glimpses of me I think," he added.

"When I signed on loan I was at the top of my game. I felt good at the start of the following season but then I started to struggle and deteriorate.

"I'm a fit player and I can get up and down the pitch and I've always worked hard. But people were seeing a player struggling to get around the park.

"Hopefully now people can start seeing the player Wolves bought 18 months ago."