Defender Chris Stokes gives an update after his eight month injury lay-off...
Defender Chris Stokes admitted he is relieved to be back on the grass after an extended spell on the sidelines.
The 25-year old injured his knee in a league meeting with Blackpool in February, but returned to play the full 90 minutes for the club's U23s side against Birmingham City earlier this week.
Stokes is hoping any complications are behind him as he eyes a return to competitive action. “It was nice to be back playing again, it has been a long time since I’ve featured in a game and be able to kick the ball around.
“I have been on the edge of a ‘comeback’ a few times. I was training at the end of last season, and the beginning of this campaign but I was still having trouble with my knee flaring up so had to have the operation.
"I’m not really fully fit at the moment, so it’s about being sensible over the next few weeks.”
With the recent appointment of new boss Russell Slade, Stokes is hoping to impress the 56-year old when he finally makes the return to first team football.
“With the new manager coming in I am just keen to get out there straight away and train again, but I sometimes have to hold myself back because I can get a bit over excited.
“If I do too much it can flare up a little bit and then I’ll have to come back in and suddenly it turns into a day in the gym rather than kicking a ball about.”
He added: “It’s one of those things where I need to judge what I can and can’t do. That’s what I am working with the physio team for to try and make sure I return as quickly as possible.”