But Zamora, who won his first international cap in August against Hungary at Wembley and has three club goals to his name so far this term, was back with a bang in action for Fulham's second-string side.
He scored in the win over his former club Brighton in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the club's Motspur Park training ground.
Mark Hughes has had to make do with a makeshift strike-line for most of the season with Zamora sidelined alongside summer signing Moussa Dembele, who has also recently returned.
Andy Johnson has also recently returned to first team duty but Hughes will undoubtedly be most encouraged by the sight of Zamora, whose 19 goals last season helped inspired an incredible run to the UEFA Europa League cup final, back on the pitch.
With the club in 12th place in the Barclays Premier League, the Welshman will be hoping the former West Ham man's return will coincide with a further push up the table as they look to ease any concerns over relegation.
But Hughes, who signed Eidur Gudjohnsen in the January transfer window, warned Zamora last week that he will have a fight on his hands to reclaim his place in the team.
He said: 'He understands that the squad is evolving now and the squad is getting bigger and stronger. Bobby knows he needs to work hard to get back in the side but, given his desire to get back in, that shouldn't faze him at all.'