Forgotten man Gary Croft has vowed to get back in the picture after his groin operation. He has told fans "don’t write me off" after a season where he made just ten starts and where Chris Makin was brought in to cover his favoured right-back position. Many fans have been sounding thedeath knell on Croft's Town career after two turbulent years.
Croft has had his groin operation and is recuperating. The former Blackburn and Grimsby player says: "A large part of last season was a bit of a wash-out for me, but I’m more determined than ever. I think the best from Gary Croft is still to come at Ipswich Town."
Croft is determined to get himself back in the frame in a season which he sees as very important for Town: "I’ve had some good games here, but I know I can do much better. Possibly my best matches have been away from home. When fit I feel I can do a good job and I’m determined to show it. My aim is to play week in and week out. I will not be happy leaving the club unless I can give it a real go first. This is a big, big season for us. There’s a tough League campaign and three cup competitions. I want to be part of the challenge and have never been more keen to succeed. I hope people don’t write me off. My aim is to come back from the surgery a stronger player."
The groin injury which needed the operation is the result of an earlier injury where he collided with Titus Bramble. The incident, which happened at Highbury, led to his current injury. Croft explains: "The right knee was the trouble after the Arsenal game and when I came back to training I tried to protect it a bit by using my left foot more. A bit of overuse and over-stretching may have caused the problem to the left groin. I started pre-season training but it did not work out. A visit to the specialist ended with the news surgery was necessary and now I look forward to making a full recovery and a successful return to action."