Glasgow 2014: Gemma Gibbons pleased after comeback

Olympic judo silver medallist Gemma Gibbons has expressed her relief at coming through her first fight since shoulder surgery nine months ago.

Gibbons, 26, lost on her return at the European Open in Madrid, but is pleased her body held up.

"I feel more confident and positive now so hopefully I can get in a good shape for the Commonwealth Games," she told BBC Sport.

Gibbons had surgery to reconstruct her right shoulder around the turn of the year.

"When I first came off the mat I was quite upset," said the Briton following her defeat to France's Christelle Garry, who went on to win the under-78kg event.

"But my coach just laughed and asked how my shoulder was. I'd forgotten about it, so that's a real positive."

Gibbons was also battling an ankle complaint and had only done two weeks of full sparring before her bout in Spain.

"We knew I was going in about 50% off my best, but it was important to test the shoulder out and start entering competitions," she said.

Gibbons will travel to Belarus on Monday with Team England as they look to peak for the Commonwealth Games, which begin on 23 July.

Judo is returning to the Games schedule after an absence of 12 years.