Frank Lampard brushed off being booed by his own New York City FC fans, saying there is nothing he can do about being injured.
The former Chelsea midfielder has come in for criticism during his time at the club, having made just 10 appearances in an injury-plagued first season and only making his debut this season as a substitute in the 7-0 thrashing by New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
Lampard was booed by home fans at Yankee Stadium when he replaced Andrea Pirlo in the 75th minute, and then again when his name came up on the screen.
"I don't think the fans are aware of the injury I had," he said afterwards. "If I'm getting booed for being injured, then there's not much I can do about that.
"The only plus for me is that I feel physically very good. It's been a difficult injury. To feel good, to feel 100 percent and to come on and play a part was good for me personally, but obviously it was a very bad day for us."
The 7-0 defeat to Red Bulls equaled the record for the heaviest loss in Major League Soccer history.
Although he did not receive a warm welcome, Lampard said it was good to get back on the pitch after several months of rehabilitation following a calf injury.
"I had a nasty injury which was an 8-10 week injury," said Lampard. "In the beginning doctors thought it was a small injury and it didn't turn out to be that.
"I've been training morning and afternoon to get fit. People don't see that. So if they're going to boo for being injured, as I say there's not much I can do [other] than get fit, play and show what I can do on the pitch."
