Jota has revealed the personal problems that led to him leaving Brentford for Eibar on an 18-month loan last year have resolved themselves.

The Spaniard spent 12 months in Spain before he was recalled by the Bees and returned to Griffin Park in January.

The 25-year-old had a wonderful first season, including two last minute goals against Fulham, but his second was difficult after suffering an injury on the opening day after a collision with Jonathan Douglas.

Jota said: “When you have a long term injury it's difficult because you have ups and downs and I think the biggest difficulty is mental.

“Every week, you train a lot, you complain and it's difficult. The second year with the injury was very difficult for me and I think every player who has a long injury, finds it difficult.”

Jota celebrates

Jota's personal state was made worse by family issues in Spain and he felt he had to return to his homeland to sort them out.

He added: “It was a difficult time with the injury and I had personal problems in Spain. It was very important to resolve them because, for me, my family is very important.

“They stay with me every day and support me and, for me, this situation was uncomfortable as only on the pitch was I happy at Brentford.

“I needed to resolve my problems in Spain and now I am out of football, I need to go to Spain to resolve the problems. The team said that would be okay and when you have resolved your problems you can come back.”

Having spent 12 months in Spain, with the last few months seeing limited game time, Jota returned to Brentford and he revealed that those issues are no longer there.

Jota celebrates

He explained: “The problems are now resolved and I am very happy because I am very happy on the pitch and off the pitch.

“When Brentford asked me if I wanted to come back I told them I wanted to return as I wasn't playing at Eibar. I said if you want me back, I'll come back. I can bring the same energy on the pitch now.”

The winger's family will remain in Spain for the time being but it is expected that they will move to England at the end of the season.

Jota explained: “My family is very important to me. They're not coming because the kids have school and they're coming to live here in the summer.

“Everything changed but in a few months they're coming to start in school here.

“They travel every weekend to Brentford and I see them every weekend and we are very happy because I may spend the week alone but I see the kids and my wife.

Opening goal: Jota

“Now they stay in Spain because of school and it's easy to finish in Spain. Next year, they'll be studying in Brentford.”

Understandably, Jota is keen to put the past behind him and apply his focus to on-pitch issues and he still believes Brentford can make the play-offs.

He explained: “I'm never one to put a number of goals. I want the team to play very well and go up in the table.

“I believe we have great players and a great team and we can get to the play-offs and we'll try to play well for the next few weeks.”

Keep up to date with the latest news in west London via the free getwestlondon app.

You can even set it to receive push notifications for all the breaking news in your area.

Available to download from the App Store or Google Play for Android now!