Having been suffering from a knee injury, Danny van Poppel is finally ready to make a belated Team Sky debut at Wednesday's Nokere Koerse.

"Sadly I picked up a knee injury at the start of the year and that has kept me out of action until now. I was really disappointed because I was ready for the early races, I felt in really good shape, and was keen to impress having moved to a new team," he writes in his blog on TeamSky.com

"There were races where I knew I'd have the chance to show what I could do, so that made it extra tough to take. My first few weeks off the bike were really difficult but I had to focus on my recovery. When I was able to start training again I was so happy, although I still found it hard watching the races I was missing on TV!

"I feel ready now. I've had some good weeks on the bike and done a lot of good training. It has taken me so long to come back because my injury was a tough one. My knee was really tight and every time I rode it flared up. Now that it's OK, my first goal is to finish a race without any pain.

"I don't really have any firm plans in place for the rest of the season yet. I really want to prove myself in the Classics, but obviously now I will have to wait another year to do that. Hopefully I will get some chances over the coming months though - we will see. For now, it's just important for me to get my form back."

Van Poppel is pleased with his first time in the team

"Before my injury I had worked really hard with the team and I was impressed with how professional the set up is - but certainly not surprised. Every small detail is looked at and catered for here. I have done a lot more work than in previous years, and a lot more specific training too. I think I have made a big step and hope that I can prove that," he writes.

"What did surprise me is how friendly everyone is here. You hear the stereotype - 'Team Sky is a machine, it's no fun', but that's simply not true. I make more jokes with the guys here than I have in other teams. I knew Wout Poels before I joined, and a few of the other guys, and they've all helped me to settle in, but I think I would have been fine anyway. Everyone is very nice."