Williams, 22, recently returned to action for Boro after 10 months on the sidelines with groin and pelvis injuries which kept him out of Australia's 2010 World Cup squad.

"It's been like a horror film, to be honest. I've had my ups and downs, but more downs, with the injuries,” Williams told BBC Tees.

The Perth-born defender/midfielder made his return to the Middlesbrough side as a substitute earlier this month against Reading and has since played two full games in the centre of defence.

Williams received plenty of praise for his man-of-the-match performance as a central defender in the goalless draw with in-form Portsmouth on the weekend.

“It's obviously nice when people acknowledge how you play and I'm buzzing for it, but it was a good team performance, we defended well and could've nicked it at the end,” Williams said.

The Socceroo made a crucial goalline clearance to deny Portsmouth's Dave Kitson, with the Boro goalkeeper beaten in the first-half of the game.

Williams said: “I just got myself in the way of the ball and was lucky it stayed out.”

Boro's defence has improved since Williams' return and he added: “It's been good we won the other night (2-1 over Derby) and we're yet to concede in open play, which is something nice to have after two games.”

Williams's goal now is to finish the campaign fit and help struggling Middlesbrough avoid the drop, in order to press for promotion back to the Premier League next season.

"I'm back now and I just want to keep myself fit," he said. "Get this season over without any injuries, and then kick on next season and hopefully push for promotion.

"I've come back at the right time. I'm not going to play all of our last 10 games because of injury management.

"But if I can get as many games as I can, then I can get a good break in the summer and come back raring to go next season."