Eriksen admits being ‘surprised’ at his body as he nears Brentford debut

Brentford midfielder Christian Eriksen has admitted he is surprised at how his body has reacted to returning to professional football.

Eriksen played 80 minutes in a friendly against Rangers on Monday and set up both goals as he looks to return from the cardiac arrest he suffered at Euro 2020.

Ten kneejerk reactions to the opening weekend: revisited

Speaking to Brentford’s official media outlets, Eriksen said: “I feel very good. It was a tough test in the last week or so with the game against Southend. It’s tough, but I’m happy to be out there.

“I feel like I’m in a good place, mentally going into the games and body wise which is the most important at the moment.

“I’m actually a bit surprised that my body is acting the way it is because of course I’ve been training hard but I didn’t expect be as good as I feel now. It’s definitely something very positive.”

On the two assists he grabbed against Rangers, he added: “I have to keep that up. It’s a friendly of course so let’s see if it counts in the other, more important games. But I’m feeling good.

“It (the assists) have been set pieces so that needs to change a bit. But I’m very happy to be out there.

“I feel the same excitement, the same love for touching the ball and being involved and playing football in general. It’s what I’ve been waiting for for a lot of months and being out there with a team is something very pleasing and very comforting.”

Brentford face Newcastle on Saturday and speculation has risen over whether the Danish international could make he return. However, Eriksen refused to reveal if he would make his Bees debut.

“Let’s see how my body reacts in the next few days and let’s see what happens.”

Elsewhere, Paul Scholes has named Paul Pogba as the only Manchester United star who could play for Liverpool or Manchester City.

Speaking to Premier League Productions, when asked which United star would get in Liverpool or City’s side, Scholes said: “Pogba in his best form would. He is indicative of what the club are doing. Every player is inconsistent. People running the club are inconsistent in what they are doing.

“I have been a big critic of Paul, but if you are an opposing player going to Old Trafford and you are playing against Fred and McTominay ‘all day long’.

“Now, you don’t know what you are going to get with Paul. But when he is on his game, he is brilliant.

“But when he isn’t, then against your Liverpool and Man City’s, you might struggle in them areas. Where do Man United go next year to replace him?”