JOSH Vela played through the pain on his winning comeback against Sheffield Wednesday.

The midfielder, starting his first game since the opening day of the season, had to have an injection at half-time to calm a heel injury.

Vela had been out for two months with ankle ligament damage but has picked up the associated problem since his return to full training.

“He did not want to come off, he’s a tough lad,” Phil Parkinson explained.

“It was a phenomenal performance. To throw him in after so long out – I don’t think I would have done that with many other players.

“I did with Darren (Pratley) last year at Fleetwood but to ask a player to reach that kind of level straight away is an enormous credit to him.”

Vela’s performance also caught the eye of team-mate Sammy Ameobi, who added: “He’s a massive player for us, it was great to have him back in the side and playing so well.

“We don’t have the same injury problems now and hopefully that can continue.”