NATHAN Tella admits this season has been one “where I’ve learnt the most about myself”, after missing nearly three months through a 10-day injury that he just could not shake.

Playing less than 90 Premier League minutes until the end of November, 22-year-old Tella had then broken into Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side with six starts – interrupted themselves by a COVID absence.

However, the sixth – away at Wolves during the 3-1 defeat on January 15 – was still his most recent. The academy graduate revealed how a tear in his hip led to an extended nightmare.

“It did take a lot longer. It was meant to be a couple of days, maybe a week,” Tella said. "I had a tear in my hip and for some reason, blood kept getting into the tear and it just wasn't healing.

Daily Echo: Nathan Tella made a return as a substitute at Leeds United this month (Pic: PA)Nathan Tella made a return as a substitute at Leeds United this month (Pic: PA)

“I wasn't able to sprint to my full pace, so it was quite painful and a 10-day injury turned into a six-week, seven-week injury, which wasn't ideal.

"But I think it was probably better for me to come back when I did rather than rush it and end up out again for even longer. Everything is back to a similar level now and it is just about playing games and trying to get involved in the team."

It was a blow at an overwhelmingly positive time for Tella, who had just signed a new three-and-half year contract with the club – to extend his St Mary’s stay until 2025.

After making 18 Premier League appearances and scoring his first top-flight goal across 750 minutes last season, Tella’s action has been limited to 11 matches and just under 600 minutes so far this.

Daily Echo: Nathan Tella's only goal this season came in EFL Cup competition (Pic: PA)Nathan Tella's only goal this season came in EFL Cup competition (Pic: PA)

He made a return to the side as a late substitute in the 1-1 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road, following the international break.

“I’d say it’s been quite frustrating but it’s probably the year where I’ve learnt the most about myself,” he continued.

“At the start of the season I wasn’t playing as much as I wanted to, I was only seemingly playing in the cup and that was quite challenging when obviously all I wanted to do was play football.

“And then I had the period where I was in the team and I was playing, and even though I didn’t feel like I was playing my best football I was happy I was playing and able to be a part of it.

“Picking up the injuries was another setback in the season which wasn’t ideal, but now I’m back I’m hoping that I can have a better end to the season – it seems to have been up and down, a bit like a rollercoaster. So hopefully I can end on a high. It’s been long.”

Asked what he is referring to by learning about himself, Tella elaborated: “I just mean it in a sense that because I wanted to play, but it’s about not beating myself up if I make silly decisions in the training sessions.

“If I give the ball away I might have looked at it like, ‘this is why I’m not playing or not getting an opportunity’, but I feel like I just needed to find myself and just relax in those moments, just be confident in the training sessions and then that will relay to the pitch.

“I feel like once I found that confidence in training, it started to help in my performances on the pitch.”

Saints’ next match after Tella sustained the injury, a 1-1 draw with Manchester City, started a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Daily Echo: Saints' impressive run included a 3-2 win at Tottenham Hotspur (Pic: PA)Saints' impressive run included a 3-2 win at Tottenham Hotspur (Pic: PA)

The optimists began to look up the table and into the top-half as the good times rolled, but Saints’ academy graduate could only watch on from the rehabilitation room.

“It was quite frustrating because obviously you want to be part of the team when winning and they’re performing well,” Tella admitted.

“They had the unbeaten run and played well in so many of those games, but as a teammate I was so happy for the team and as a fan I was so happy for the team.

“Personally it was obviously a bit disheartening because I wanted to be involved, I wanted to have the same emotions as the team and as the fans in the stadium, but that’s football – it’s part of the game, you’re going to pick up injuries.

“Now I’m back I’m hoping to get into the squad and hopefully get onto the pitch and play some games to end the season.”