Scott McDonald is happy to be part of Middlesbrough's plans again and delighted to have hit the goal trail in his first appearance this season.
The Australian striker was exiled from Boro's matchday 18 over the first part of the campaign but, following clear-the-air talks with manager Tony Mowbray, returned among the substitutes against Watford last Saturday.
A 39th-minute injury to Justin Hoyte saw McDonald given his chance to shine on the wing and he duly stepped up to the plate, bagging a second-half winner as Boro recorded a 2-1 success at Vicarage Road.
"You're a footballer first and you want to play football, so to get back out there and help the team get a win was a great feeling and I'm happy the gaffer has given me the opportunity," McDonald told the club's official website.
"I've just been getting my head down and working hard. Everything's been sorted out and we move on and get on with it, so let's talk about the football.
"Me and the gaffer know what happened and that's the way it will stay."
