In our latest feature of the Loan Watch series, we caught up with the young players that have temporarily left City in order to gain invaluable experience in their budding careers.
We caught up with Tom Billson today to find out how his recovery is going, with the young ‘keeper currently suffering a spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury on the opening day of the season when making his debut with Scunthorpe United.
The 20-year-old made his professional debut for the Sky Blues in September 2020 against Gillingham but made his Football League debut in the Irons’ opening day match with Swindon Town at The Sands Venue Stadium and managed to keep a first half clean sheet however he was withdrawn at the interval with Billson explaining how the injury occurred.
“Obviously it was disappointing (getting injured) being my first loan and the first game of the season, it wasn’t ideal it was just one of those things.
“A ball came over the top, I probably should have stayed on my line, but I come and cleared it and their player hit the side of my knee and it felt dodgy, I went in at half time and it was swallowed really bad so I couldn’t continue.
“I had a scan, and it was better than we all thought but obviously it was still quite a lengthy period out.
“I have fractured the side of my so it wasn’t great, but it could have been a lot worse.
“But it had been a pretty quiet (start to the game) to be fair, there was not a lot in the game, it was a little cagey, so it was just unfortunate."
However, Billson is well on the way to recovery and explained where he is currently with his rehabilitation, back at Sky Blue Lodge.
“I’ve just come off the brace so I can do a little bit more work in the gym and getting that leg straight again and it feels good to be fair.
“I’ve got an appointment in another month’s time that should mean I’m able to get back on the grass and I’m looking at the start of November probably, in and around then, all thing’s well to be back fit."
As well as making his competitive debut, Billson played two friendlies against Lincoln City and AFC Wimbledon before the start of the season and said he had begun to settle in really well with the League Two club.
Despite only spending a short time in Lincolnshire, Billson said he had enjoyed his time with his new teammates and can’t wait to get back and fight for his place in the first team.
“It was good, it was great, I enjoyed the first 35 minutes, up and till the knee then could barely walk, but it was a great experience and hopefully I can get more like that for the rest of the season.
“It was good, I settled in, probably only just settled in to be fair but settled in nicely and I was enjoying it to be fair so it’s just one of those things.
“I’ve kept in touch but the here and now is focusing on getting back fit first and foremost.
“It’s been a while, think its week nine now so it’s been a while, but I’ve been able to step up my training and want to play some games as it’s very, very important.
“I’ll go back there and train hard, that’s all I can do, and hopefully I can get some minutes whenever that may be.
“(For a young ‘keeper) It’s so important (to be playing first team football), that’s why I was so disappointed to get injured, you look at all the top goalies like Pickford who have had to go out on loan even to non league so its important but its just a little set back.”