Keogh feels he is ready to go after long-term injury

After spending more than a year sidelined through injury, Richard Keogh feels he is ready to be a regular in the MK Dons side.

The 34-year-old made his first start for the club last Saturday in the 1-1 draw with Ipswich, coming through 90 minutes unscathed for the first time since September 2019.

Having made just one substitute appearance prior to that, Keogh's comeback has been much quicker than expected, and with the former Republic of Ireland captain in line for a return to the side for Saturday's trip to Portsmouth, he says he is ready to get back to regular football/

He said: "Ideally, you'd have a few more minutes in a reserve game or something, but my body felt good. I thought I was going to be in turmoil on Sunday after my first 90 minutes but my body felt good. We dominated the game too, which helped and didn't give away too much.

"I feel really good, and fit. There will obviously be a bit of rust after 12 and a half months out, but if you offered me this, I was really pleased with how it went.

"The medical staff put together a really good programme for me to put me on the right track so it was just a natural progression. We didn't even really push it, we just ticked the boxes in however long it took and we did it in great time."

Prior to last Saturday, Keogh's last game was for Derby County against Leeds at Elland Road in the Championship. But his return did not hold much signifcance for the defender until he got home afterwards.

"When I first went out there, I didn't really take stock," he admitted. "I just went into autopilot and wanted ot help the team. It wasn't until I got home that I realised it was a big moment. The more I'll play, the stronger I'll get.

"Any professional will tell you they're at their most comfortable when they're playing. Just to be out there playing was a fantastic moment. A lot of hard work and sacrifice had gone into that moment."