Coventry City midfielder Sammy Clingan has been speaking about his time out with a knee injury and how pleased he is to be fit again and playing.
The 27 year old Northern Irish international has returned to fitness at the right time as fellow midfielder Michael Doyle looks set to be leaving the club to join his former manager Mickey Adams at Sheffield United.
Clingan spoke about his delight at playing again and explained how he prolonged his injury absence by changing his boot in training.
He said to the CT: "I've been out for two and half months so it is good to be back among the boys and in the squad. I just need a bit more training under my belt and hopefully I will push for a starting place..
Clingan played in a friendly at Ryton against Cheltenham Town last week to check on his fitness and he was used as a second half substitute on Sunday in the 2-1 defeat at QPR.
"I got a bit of confidence on Sunday because I had a block tackle with Wayne Routledge and I have come out of it OK". said Clingan. "It's really important to get that first challenge out of the way because you always have it in the back of your head that you might do it again, but thankfully I've done that now and that's given me the confidence to push on and get fitter."
Clingan suffered the knee injury in the game against Nottingham Forest at the beginning of November last, but he revealed he exacerbated the injury thereby prolonging his absence because he changed his boots in training.
He explained, "It has been a frustrating injury to be honest because I was back after five weeks and I had a little set back in training when I slipped over and strained the ligament again which was unfortunate, but I have had this type of injury before so I know how niggly they can be."
"The pitch was a bit wet and I don't think I had the right footwear on. I had moulded boots on that day and I just went to play a ball and slipped and felt it go again, but now I just wear studs all the time in games and it's much better."
He revealed: "I first did it in a challenge on Nathan Tyson. I just got there a bit late and kicked him in the shin and it opened up my knee and I knew straight away that I had done something bad, but I am back now and I have to look to the future and help the team pick up a few wins."