The Sky Blues midfielder reveals more about his ordeal this summer with his concussion and wants to get into the team again...
Coventry City midfielder Conor Thomas has revealed he is now wearing a scrum cap after his two head injuries this season.
Thomas, who suffered from severe concussion after colliding with Cian Harries against Nuneaton in pre-season, was unfortunate enough to clash heads again, this time with Jack Finch in the Sky Blues Under-21s’ recent 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
It made what looked like a promising summer into a tough one for Thomas, who revealed he really struggled with severe short-term memory loss. He couldn't watch TV, drive or stay by lights for too long either. It was a real ordeal for the young midfielder who made a statement with some impressive performances in pre-season training. Now, Thomas wears a scrum cap, similar to Petr Cech, for games and training.
The 21-year old said: "It's been a real nightmare for me, I just haven't been able to get going.
"The schedule hasn't helped, playing Saturday, Tuesday I haven't been able to train and get involved.
"The first two weeks of my recovery my short-term memory was gone, I couldn't remember anything. I could be chatting to you, leave the room, then 15 minutes later forget everything that was said. It was horrible; I couldn't drive or do anything. I had to do tests and it was a long process because it was severe.
"I came in just to sit in the changing rooms because I couldn't do anything at home, it's been a hard start to the season. I was desperate to come in and get going but I have to come in from now. Hopefully I'll be alright.
"Obviously after the Nuneaton incident, people asked me before the Forest game about going for a header, then I went for one and it happened again! You don't think about it to be fair when you play. It's so so frustrating as my legs felt fine, I did all my off season work, then I had so many scans and it happened twice. Even if I felt fine they'd tell me not to go on the bike or something as a precaution.
"I watched them both back, spoke to the physios and they've never had a head injury, yet I've had three now! I'm wearing a scrum hat as a precaution. I wore it in the 21s game and I’m wearing it in training. It's not great! It's not me! I remember wearing one for Rugby in school now I wear one all the time! I got through my first 90 minutes the other day, now I just need to keep going.”
With his injury ordeal aside, Thomas is well aware of the challenge that faces him – he has to dislodge John Fleck or Romain Vincelot who have both started the season so well.
But the Sky Blues Academy graduate is eager to win a place in Tony Mowbray’s side though, and said: “Romain and John are doing really well and the gaffer has said he'll need all of his squad.
"It’s like I’m starting later than everyone else. I’ve been really unlucky but I’ve got to focus on getting my place in the team.
"It’s a long season and the whole squad will be required, I’ve got to take my chance when it comes."