WEST HAM defender Danny Gabbidon made his long-awaited return from injury by playing in his first match for 18 months at a charity game in Cardiff.

The 29-year-old featured for over an hour in the Legends game to mark the new City Stadium, home to his former club Cardiff City.

Gabbidon has suffered with a succession of injuries over the past year and a half, including an abdominal problem and he admits it felt good to be back out on the pitch.

“I have been back in training since the end of last season and I asked West Ham if I could play in the legends game,” he told WHUFC.com. “They gave me the go-ahead and it was a great feeling to be back playing.”