x

Norwood: I'm Fit For Selection - Ipswich Town News

Striker James Norwood declared himself fit and ready to play at Gillingham on Saturday, despite having limped off with a groin problem after 35 minutes away against the MK Dons on Tuesday, an injury he says he'll have to continue to manage over the course of the season.

"It’s OK, I’m training today, fit for selection for tomorrow so things are looking good. It’s all settled down well,” the striker said.

"It’s something I’ve been carrying, it just had a little bit too much on Tuesday but I’m good to go.”

He says he’s had the injury since his time with Tranmere: "It showed up on my medical, it’s something we’ve been managing and it’s something we’ve been looking at different options for and I’m continuing to play, so there’s no problem as of yet.”

The 29-year-old says admitted he feared the injury might have been more severe when he came off, something he can’t recall doing previously.

"Yes, of course,” he said. "I think [that's the case] any time you have to come off. I think that’s the first time I’ve come off with an injury in my career, so it was a bit of a shock, I didn’t really know how to handle it but the main thing is that it settled right down and I’m training three days later.”

"Reflecting on the win against the MK Dons, he added: "Brilliant. It was everything we want. We played free-flowing, attacking football in the first half and it was backs against the wall for the last 10 minutes of the second.

"We showed a resilience and fight to keep a clean sheet. Big Tommy was incredible in goal and the back four was solid, they dealt with everything flying into our box. We showed both sides of our game.”

Asked how he goes about managing the injury, he said: "Just anything I can do really. I liaise with the physio every day and let him know how I’m feeling so if I have to taper down on a certain day then I’ll do that.

"But ultimately I’ll go out and train every day and just carry on. I think it’s just about feeling the pain but just fighting it as such.

"I’ve played injured, you ask any footballer, you don’t feel 100 per cent any of the time, you’re just happy as long you can get through training, get through games and your performance level doesn’t drop too far, then you’re good to go.”

He says he plays through the pain, but points out that that's not unusual in football with players often carrying long-term niggles.

"Yes, since Tranmere, yes,” he said. "It’s football, people have achy knees, achy ankles, it’s just part and parcel of football, you just get on with it.”

What to read next:

Eze Nets Twice as U19s Draw Opener at Czech Tournament
Striker Nelson Eze scored twice as an U19 Town side drew 2-2 with hosts Banik Ostrava in their opening match at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia yesterday.
Young: Working With McKenna Again Was a Massive Pull
New Blues signing Ashley Young says manager Kieran McKenna played a big part in his decision to join Town having left Everton at the end of last season.
Town Confirm Young Signing
Town have confirmed the signing of veteran former England international Ashley Young on a one-year deal.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Released Forward Roberts Joins Stevenage
Released Blues U21s forward Matty Roberts has joined League One Stevenage following a trial.
Young Close to Completing Town Move
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is close to completing a move to the Blues on a one-year deal.
Former Town Youth Coach Owen Dies
Former Town youth coach Brian Owen has died, aged 80.
Emmanuel-Thomas Joins AFC Totton
Ex-Town forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has joined National League South AFC Totton following his release from prison on parole.
Young Watches Son as U21s Beat Needham
Former England star and apparent Town target Ashley Young watched his son Tyler feature as a trialist for Town's U21s on Tuesday evening as they beat 10-man Needham Market 2-1 at Bloomfields in a pre-season friendly.
Young Watching Town U21s at Needham
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is watching Town’s U21s in friendly action at Needham Market with his son Tyler on trial with John McGreal’s squad.