Leeds United were without Robin Koch for the vast majority of 2021, largely through injury.
Due to complications with a problematic hip issue which ultimately required surgery in the United States, Koch missed the four-month period between August and December at the beginning of this season.
It compounded the disappointment he felt during the second half of 2020/21 when the German international missed three months with a knee injury picked up on his debut for the club back in September 2020.
The World Cup hopeful has been speaking to Bild am Sonntag in his native Germany about his road to recovery, as well as aspirations for the future, including his role at Leeds and with the German national team.
"The year 2021 was a real challenge for me. In 2022 I want to attack, present myself in the best possible way, help the team and achieve as much as possible.
"Fighting 90 minutes with my teammates at Elland Road without any problems – that was really fun. I'm feeling really good again and I'm on my way back to my top level," Koch said of his first win at a packed-out Elland Road against Burnley on January 2.
"I was the happiest person in the stadium."
Koch returned to the fold initially last month in the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal, but secured his first taste of victory at home with the triumph over the Clarets.
Provided he can remain fit for the majority of 2022, Koch is eyeing a return for the German national team.
"The national coach and I spoke on the phone several times. It's a great motivation for me: Of course I have the goal of returning to the DFB team in the near future. As I said, I am also always in contact with the doctors at the DFB.
"I will step on the gas, present myself in the best possible way. Of course, every national player wants to be at the World Cup. Last summer we broke up after the European Championship and said: we have to do better."
The 25-year-old hopes to have put the worst of his injury troubles behind him, too, going into detail on the process which helped him return to action - including inspiration from two titans of basketball.
"I started rehab as soon as possible and worked hard almost every day. I also had a little more time to read and was able to distract myself so well," Koch said.
"I've read Kobe Bryant's biography and Winning, the book by Tim S. Grover, Bryant's and Michael Jordan's fitness coach. How the guys were mentally positioned is impressive and inspiring at the same time."
Leeds United now have two weeks before they take to the field again, versus Aston Villa on February 9.
