From Zero to Hero.

2011 has already been a shaky year for the Steven Reid, but the former Ireland international is optimistic going into West Brom's final 8 games of the season.

Three months can be gone in a flash in modern football, but when a serious injury is set to leave you sidelined for 6 weeks, three months can be a long slow battle for fitness and a starting spot.

This is the situation West Brom's Steven Reid found himself in after damaging the cartilage in his knee during a new years day clash with Manchester United.

Reid has had a number of injuries throughout his career, including a numerous problems with the knee in question, and 6 weeks off the field could have seen the Irish defender relegated to the subs bench or even left out of match days altogether.

However after scans reviled the damage to the knee to be less severe than first expected, Reid missed just 4 fixtures for the Baggies, returning as a substitute on February 1st in a 2-2 draw with Wigan and then featuring in the starting line-up following week against Manchester City.

Losing his starting spot for 2 more fixtures in early March, the hard working veteran was able to claw his way back into the first XI and after opening the scoring with a powerful header from Chris Brunt's corner managed to complete his turn around to the years opening months, picking up man of the match in the Baggie's 2-2 battle against title chasers Arsenal.

“I'm grateful every time I step over the white line,

said the 31 year old, commenting on the rocky start to 2011, adding

“Any game could be your last and thats how I see it now, the last few years have been a little bit of a nightmare with my injury so every time I go out there now I just give it my all and I'm just delighted to do that.”

But Reid was quick to bring the focus back to the future and not dwell on the past.

“Im delighted to get the goal but it'll mean nothing if we don't get the 40-41 points we need at the end of the season.”

Reid was left out of Hodgson's starting line up for the manager's first two games in charge at the Hawthorns, but having featured in the last 3 starting XI's the last 8 games of the season look an inviting period for the midfielder turned fullback despite the Baggies precarious position in the Premierships relegation battle.

“Im enjoying the little run in the team, I've played the last 3 games now, and I'm hoping to stay fit between now and the end of the season and play every game

“Its a tense time, it always is when your at the bottom end of the table, but at the same time you've gotta enjoy playing in the premier league every week.”