Veteran midfielder Cole Skuse says he can see the finishing line as he continues his recovery from the knee operation he underwent in September.

The 34-year-old is yet to play a game during 2020/21 having suffered what initially appeared an innocuous injury in pre-season.

“I’m feeling really good,” Skuse told the club site. “Pandemic aside, it’s been challenging with the injury because it’s a period in my career that I’ve never gone through before.

“It was a freak injury in the sense that we were doing some shape training and I took a slip and an awkward fall and I sat through my knee really awkwardly.

“I sat out of that session, but tried to carry on for a couple more weeks after, but I had to dip in and out of sessions as it [the knee] kept swelling up.

“I then went for an operation. I expected it to be a small routine operation, but it ended up being a lot more than any of us anticipated, and it’s now been four months.

“It’s the longest injury in my career by quite some way. In the past when I’ve had injuries that have seemed quite serious and substantial, I’ve always come back quite quickly.

“Whereas this one, I had to follow the book with the repair, but I can see the finishing line now.”

Skuse, who signed a one-year deal with an option for a further season last May, is now back on the training pitch with sports therapist Tom Walsh and is nearing his return to working alongside his team-mates with thoughts of retirement still a few seasons away.

“I’m back on the grass, running and doing multi-directional work with Walshy. Without putting a timeframe on it, it’s nearing completion and then I’ll be looking to get back training with the lads.

“Even doing the individual work with Walshy next to the lads who are training makes you feel so much closer.

“I feel I’ve got a part to play this season and from my own personal point of view, I want to play on for at least another couple of years.”

Photo: ITFC

dyersdream added 16:40 - Feb 8 Though he'd finished years ago !
1

BettyBlue added 16:48 - Feb 8 Will never play for Ipswich again.
2

ArnieM added 17:00 - Feb 8 I know both Skusey and Chambers are at the end of their playing careers, but I think their experience in part of certain games could prove to be crucial .... we need them for certain games and at certain points in the season but not now as first on the team sheet . Those days are gone . Time is close for the “ finish line”, for both players ..... but not quite yet I feel.

4

BlueandTruesince82 added 17:08 - Feb 8 He gets a lot of flack and some of it understandable, he is not exactly a creative force and was never going to be a Championship Pirlo but the defensive side of game and the job he has done of protecting a back for over the years is underappreciated. I have a lot of time for Skuse, always strikes me as the quiet man of the dressing room, considered and thinks intelligently. Would be handy to come on late in games to see them out.... maybe now that Lambo has realised playing the defensive midfielder (Downes, a player with bite who pays no no d to reputation) as a DM and the attacking midfielder (Dozzell who is guile and skill) as the attacking MF he won't be needed but we live in hope, they'll be switched round Tues now probs but NM

4

TheJam added 17:11 - Feb 8 Oh no.
-5

billlm added 17:55 - Feb 8 Jesus, as I can't swear on here,
-1

tractorshark added 18:09 - Feb 8 Skuse is definitely nearing the end of his career but he's been a good servant to Ipswich and a lot of the negative comments towards him have been either harsh or ill informed. Yes he's not a creative player but if he had that side of the game to him, he would have been in the Prem not at Ipswich. Instead he does the dirty jobs that go unnoticed or are rarely appreciated. Ask his fellow pros what they think of him and you'll get a very different response to a lot of people on this website. I doubt Sunderland would have scored their goal the other week had Skuse been in Dozzell's position because he would have read and tracked the run. Both Skuse and Chambers are still capable of doing a job for Ipswich this season but the clock is ticking on their playing careers. Whether they should start matches is questionable but with games coming thick and fast, having experienced reinforcements is not a bad thing.

15

ChrisFelix added 18:51 - Feb 8 We definitely missed his goals this season
2

jonju11 added 18:52 - Feb 8 A first class professional much under appreciated by the fans. It's a sign of his value & commitment that we have missed his presence in midfield especially with the development of the youngsters that have broken through. I for one will be pleased if he can help us out in the run in.
6

brian_a_mul added 19:02 - Feb 8 I would say with some confidence that we would be in top 6 if Skuse was fit all season. Defense would be better protected and Dozzer would be advanced more in the opposition half creating chances. With Downes and Skuse coming back soon, our midfield will be infinitely more solid. Dozzer, Bish & co can play with more freedom.
3

blue86 added 19:06 - Feb 8 Both skuse and chambers have been good players for us previously. However, let's be clear as far as their playing career goes they both should be nowhere near our first 11. It really is that simple, the last two or three years have been bad even by our standards. Think both should go at the end of this season, but wish them luck in whatever they do after that. Obviously our demise is no way all their fault, but think they have both had they day. Maybe that's harsh? But that's my opinion sorry.

5

Dissboyitfc added 19:08 - Feb 8 been a good servant to the club there is no denying that, but the main thing this team is missing is a sustained cutting edge in the final third along with more goals, and skuse does not either of those things, thats the reality of the situation!
6

Saxonblue74 added 19:14 - Feb 8 A player that goes about his business in such a way that much of his good work goes unnoticed. Still has something to offer in the right circumstances. M Mills made comparisons between Skuse and Downes in his role on Saturday, fair enough but Cole is somewhat more level headed!
1

blue86 added 19:15 - Feb 8 Brian a mul, why would you think we would be top 6 with skuse in the side? We wasnt last season? We were relegated from the championship with him in the side aswell, and now he is 34? By the way it's not intended as a dig, but I just cant see it. I think the old guard have had long enough....maybe to long.
6

dirtydingusmagee added 19:24 - Feb 8 likeable bloke and i believe his heart is with the club, but his playing days are over at this level imo ,good luck Skusey .
3

Radlett_blue added 19:25 - Feb 8 Usual Town story - a player gets an injury, it's ignored, he tries to play through it & then he's out for the season.
0

Ipswichbusiness added 19:36 - Feb 8 Last season with him we started well, then faded. This season without him we started well, then faded. I have nothing against him personally (I've never met him), but he doesn't seem to make much difference to the results.
6

heathen66 added 19:59 - Feb 8 Let us be clear here Nowadays when people are deemed good servants it is only because they have been here a while. Some because they like the club and some like the area. A good servants are people who work at the club for little pay or reward for years and years...for the real love of their football club. The current 'loyal servants' have been here for a few years, been as a collective part of the worst decline in the club for many years and paid huge sums (relatively speaking) to do so. Mick said Skuse could play in the Prem, but 2 years later could not influence a L1 side. If he was so good at protecting the defence how come we were relegated. (and at Bristol City too) and concede so many goals when he only defends...together with 4 others and a GK ??? Some may think this is harsh, but these players should be eternally thankful to this club over the years that has supported them immensely financially...even in L1 (Third Division). Yes comes across as a really nice guy but has imo a very limited footballing ability for what we require here, now and the seasons ahead. We cannot afford to be sentimental when offering contracts. We need to be looking forward not backwards.

4

RobsonWark added 21:12 - Feb 8 “I feel I've got a part to play this season and from my own personal point of view, I want to play on for at least another couple of years.” Not at my club!
1

jpemb added 08:40 - Feb 9 I think this is good. He can add a bit more composure to our current squad. As much as he was an underrated and useful player in our final championship seasons, we've currently got a load of midfielders so I can only see him coming on as a sub or as a backup to Downes
0

Linkboy13 added 08:52 - Feb 9 When Skusey first joined the club he rented a house quite near to where i live , and i can remember him opening our new children's play area a very modest and lovely man. But i think at 34 and coming back from longterm injury it might be time to call it a day and perhaps give him a job in a coaching capacity to reward him for his great service.
2

istanblue added 12:32 - Feb 9 No one cares Cole.
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Razor added 14:01 - Feb 9 This is more great news and he may still have unfinished business with nearly half a season to go. Why the negativity------his experience could be crucial and it will be like signing a new player.
2

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