Reading v Barnsley FC: Ziyad Larkeche looking to put watching brief into practice
Ziyad Larkeche has spent a lot more of the last 18 months on the sidelines than he would like, but at least he has put it to good use.
The Barnsley left-back made his latest return from injury as a half-time substitute in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Luton Town and will hope to build on it at Reading on Saturday.
It took him to 99 minutes (plus stoppage time) in his second Oakwell loan. Before that, his last football was at Dundee, in May 2025.
Last season it was a knee injury, this term plantar fasciitis. Over time, the 24-year-old has learnt to make the most of his time out.
"I believe like every player at the beginning of a long injury, going to the stadium is difficult because you're still learning and it looks too far (away)," says a player who was in Paris Saint-Germain's youth system but has been in British football since joining Fulham four years ago.
"But when you're closer (to full fitness) and you want to still taste the football, I was liking going sometimes to the stadium.
"I'm someone who likes to analyse football – every detail. I like to improve so when you can't play, it's by watching other players you can learn something from.
"I watch both full-backs in both teams, but not necessarily just them. When you love the game, you watch how the midfielder moves, you like the movements of the striker."
Larkeche is from Paris, home to the back-to-back European champions. Real Madrid holds an allure when watching elite football, but he keeps an eye on League One as well.
"I wouldn't say every week I'm watching the TV but when there are top games, either in the Premier League or, for example, Real Madrid, or the Champions League in general, I like to watch this.
"That's the aim for everyone and that's the best football.
"This PSG team is really remarkable and (left-back) Nuno Mendes is really complete.
"Sometimes I also like to watch how the winger plays because now as a left-back you also need to be offensive.
"So I think I can learn from wingers and by watching the wingers, I watch how the full-back defends.
"Sometimes I like to watch the big games in the league I play, to watch the players who are also competing.
"Both are good to watch."