Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman revealed his joy at becoming a "footballer again" after ending a 13-month injury lay-off for Roma in a 5-0 rout of Palermo on Sunday.

Strootman, 26, missed the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and dozens of Serie A and Champions League games because he has undergone three operations on his knee since joining the Serie A club in 2013.

Having made only a handful of appearances last season, Strootman was given a standing ovation when he came off the bench to replace Douglas Maicon with 13 minutes left as Roma claimed their fifth win on the trot to move up to fourth at 10 points behind leaders Juventus.

Strootman said he did not fear his career would be over, but told Mediaset Premium Sport: "I never feared I would stop playing, but I was scared. When I had the third operation it was a tough time for me.

"But I got to work with the medical staff, with the squad and I've come back not quite 100% but that is something I'm working on."

He added: "To return to the Olimpico in a game that we win 5-0 is perfect. Now, I feel like a footballer again."

Strootman suffered his first knee injury in a 1-0 defeat to Napoli in March 2014, sidelining him for the rest of the season and the World Cup in Brazil where Holland finished third.

He ended an eight-month absence when he returned for a 3-0 defeat of Torino in November 2014, but suffered further damage to his anterior cruciate ligament in January 2015.

He required further surgery and, seven months later, was told he would have to go under the knife again.

With Juventus and Napoli expected to claim the top two spots in Serie A this season, the third and final Champions League place is being coveted by Fiorentina, Inter, Roma and AC Milan.

Strootman hopes he can help Roma finish on a high note this season.

"We've won five in a row but we have to keep going because, since Juve and Napoli win almost all the time, we need the points," he added.

"We want to finish in a good position."