Full-back Harry Clarke says he’s making good progress having undergone surgery on the achilles problem he has been managing for the last two seasons.

The 23-year-old returned early from the squad’s post-season trip to Las Vegas to go under the knife.

The ex-Arsenal man then spent two and a half weeks resting at home before a holiday in Mykonos with teammates Wes Burns and Cieran Slicker and says he’s doing well.

“It was a double plantaris removal,” he explained to TownTV. “There’s a tendon that runs alongside your achilles and that [has been] essentially deteriorating my achilles for the last two years.

“I’ve had both them taken out, it went really well, they were happy with it and it feels a lot better now. Back at the gym now, should hopefully be on the pitch this Friday, which is nice.”

He admits the problems had been hampering him: “A little bit of discomfort is playing it down. It was tough playing with it but hopefully, even if this gets rid of 50 per cent of the pain, that would make a huge difference. They seem happy with it and it’s going well.”

Looking forward to the start of the season and Liverpool’s visit to Portman Road on the opening day, which will be followed by a trip to Champions Manchester City, local boy Clarke enthused: “The first two, they’re the games you play football for, to be involved in. To have those two up first is ‘welcome to the Premier League’ sort of thing.

“Absolutely cannot wait. So buzzing we’ve got the first game at home. I dread to think what the atmosphere’s going to be like for that one, I’m getting goosebumps thinking about it. What an exciting time.”

Photo: Matchday Images

LeightonBuzzardBlue added 17:16 - Jun 28 genuinely think Clarke has one of the most loveable attitudes. His passion is for the game and Town is contagious.
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Saxonblue74 added 17:57 - Jun 28 Couldn't agree more Leightonbuzzardblue, but sadly not sure there's going to be much game time for him in the prem.
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bluesareking added 18:32 - Jun 28 Saxonblue74- if you take a Clarkes comments at face value you have to consider the fact he has been playing with a physical (if not mental) block to every game he’s played. Factor in that he’s still developing at 23 years old and knows McKenna’s system in and out. There is still plenty of hope for him in the Premier League yet.
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Saxonblue74 added 18:36 - Jun 28 Hope you're right bluesareking, I'm not being critical of him, really like the lad.
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scooby added 18:38 - Jun 28 At 23 hes still very young and has a massive chance to improve on what he already has. I would suggest theres not alot to choose between him and johnson. Both being very forward thinking full backs
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E_I_E_I_E_I_O added 00:21 - Jun 29 This will get some down votes but is this really the best interviewer we can get? He comes across dull as dishwater and also answers the questions he asks people. I just can't fathom it. Maybe I'm in the minority and just being mean.
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Linkboy13 added 09:08 - Jun 29 Being local to me and knowing the family i would luv to see Harry do well in the Premier league.
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PortmanTerrorist added 10:37 - Jun 29 I don't think people outside of family and friends (I know) understood what Harry went through to just get on the pitch last season, and doubt we would have got promoted (in 2nd) had he not. Brilliant attitude/person, and do not think for a second that a fully fit Harry easily gives up that Right Back slot to anyone....Prem experience or not !
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Ebantiass added 12:23 - Jun 29 Really hope it went well and he comes out flying. Always considered him as a weak link along the back and the same unfortunately the same as I feel about Woolfy though I hope to god Im wrong about the two of them. I feel the defence is our weakest link going into an incredibly hard premier league season. All the best for the bluearmy 24/25 season.
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Linkboy13 added 09:46 - Jul 2 Johnson has played 67 times in the Premier league so i would suggest there is a big difference between him and Harry he will have to raise his game considerably to keep Johnson out of the side.
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