Defender Damien Delaney was delighted to make his return from injury yesterday in the reserves' 2-0 home defeat to Oxford United. Delaney has been out of action since the end of last season, first with an ankle problem then with a thigh injury.
Having recovered from the ankle problem, the Irish international suffered compartment syndrome in his thigh in pre-season training in July, an injury which can potentially lead to serious muscle damage and even the loss of a limb.
Fortunately, surgeons at Ipswich Hospital attended to the 29-year-old quickly and Delaney is now delighted to be back in action: "I’m pleased just to be able to put on a jersey and go out and play football at a competitive level again because when you throw in the ankle injury at the end of last season, it’s been the best part of five or six months since I’ve played football.
"I’ve got a little bit to go yet to get my feel back and that sharpness that you’re looking for. Obviously, if the manager asks me if I’m ready, then I’m ready, but realistically I think it’ll only be if needs must and the lads are doing well at the moment.
"In a way that’s good for me because there’s no mad pressure for me to get back involved. I can have a few reserve teams games and a few weeks’ training. I’ve only been training a week, so to play 45 minutes was a massive bonus.”
Delaney says he could have played more than just the first half yesterday: "I was delighted to come through it with absolutely no problem whatsoever with the injury, so onwards and upwards from here.
"I would have happily played on but being realistic the medical staff know best and I was more than happy just to get on the pitch.”
Also making his return was Argentinian midfielder Luciano Civelli, who impressed his team-mate: "Luca’s fine. Luca looked quite good, quite sharp. I think he’s in the same boat as myself, trying to find that little bit of match pace.”
The duo are likely to be involved in next Wednesday’s reserves game against Colchester at Maldon Town (KO 7pm).
Meanwhile, today sees the announcement of the Championship Manager of the Month award with Roy Keane amongst those short-listed.
Elsewhere, former Blue Gavin Williams has rejoined another of his old clubs Yeovil Town on loan from Bristol City today.