D-Ream land for Tim now

TIM REAM may face the unenviable task of stopping Alexandre Lacazette and PierreEmerick Aubameyang today – and there is nowhere else he would rather be.

The USA international is just grateful he is able to take part after admitting his career could have been over following a mysterious back injury.

It all started in the wake of a pre-season game with Sampdoria and the centre-back still battles the pain on a daily basis.

He said: “I did think my career was over.

“There were a few wobbles, dark nights, dark days. I like to think I am over it but you never know.”

He is delighted to be back, hopeful he can re-establish himself in a new-look Fulham fresh from a £100million summer makeover.

An hour-long cameo against Millwall in the Carabao Cup and a full 90 minutes against Everton has shown everyone he is on the right track.

Ream said: “Playing those games was mentally good.

“I was frustrated more than anything else.

“It was frustrating to know there was nothing I could have done to prevent it and know there was no light at the end of the tunnel.

“It wasn’t like a muscle injury and say, ‘Okay, four weeks and here we go’.

“There was nothing I could do to speed up the recovery. There was no explanation why my back went, I knew something was wrong right away.

“I was with the wife and kids and some things didn’t feel right. Sure enough, I went in the next day and got confirmation I was going to be out with no time frame.

“The fact that I have played 60 minutes and then 90 minutes later in the week and came through without any recurrence has gone a long way for my mental and physical confidence.”