Sky Blues midfielder, Josh Eccles, told how his loan-spell at Gillingham earlier this season has improved him as a player.
Josh joined the Gills on-loan back in September last year and made 14 appearances in League One, before returning in January of this year.
Reflecting on his time at Priestfield, Eccles told how the first team experience he gained was invaluable in his development.
“It was an unusual loan-spell, but it was something I can learn from and it’s improved me as a player, just the short time I was there.” Eccles said.
“The point of going out was to get more first team experience and I got that in the games I played in and I’m grateful for it.
“I’ve still got more to learn and more work to do, but it’s helped me, and I want to keep going and improving as a player.”
Upon is return, Eccles has been a stand-out performer in Luke Tisdale’s Under-23s side and has contributed to keep goals out and put them in the back of the net.
Eccles is the 23s top scorer this season and that is something he is proud of:
“I’ve only been back here since January, so to be top goal-scorer is great for me and it’s a nice feeling personally.
“It was an aim of mine at the start of the season to start contributing at the other end of the pitch and start scoring more goals and I’m glad to I’ve been able to start doing it more often.”
Josh added another two to his tally on Tuesday in the 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday, as the 23s got back to winning ways.
The youngster scored two superb strikes, one from outside of the area and another from a set-piece, which he admitted he had been working on.
“It was a much-needed win and I was happy to play my part, scoring two goals and it was a very good performance and I think everyone played their part.
“I’ve been working on the free-kicks in training, but I’ve never really taken on I’ve never had the opportunity so when I had the chance and I saw the distance I tried my luck and thankfully it went in and it helped the team to three points.”
Now Josh is hoping he can kick on again this season and ultimately has his eyes on trying to break into the Sky Blues first team.
“That’s always going to be aim to break into the first team, but it’s going to be a tough challenge, but it’s one I’m looking forward to.
“It’s always going to be difficult but I just need to get into the manager’s eye-line and show him what I can do.”