Peterborough United club captain on returning from a lonely place and finally getting the chance to impress a new gaffer
Club captain Sam Hughes is convinced he can return from a lonely place to help Peterborough United to a strong finish in League One.
The 28 year-old centre-back starred on loan at Posh from Stockport County in the second-half of last season, but has not played a single competitive minute since making the move to London Road permanent in the summer.
Hughes felt a problem in his achilles during a pre-season game at Colchester United and, two surgeries later, he is still striving for a first chance to impress first-team boss Luke Williams
Hughes told the Posh Plus service: “It’s no secret I’ve had difficulties this season. I felt something in my achilles in pre-season at Colchester and I knew something wasn’t quite right. A scan found micro tears in my tendon and the only way to solve it was surgery.
"Three and a half months down the line there were still some issues so I went to see a specialist and further surgery was recommended. It’s been a tough nine months, but it is what it is and I’m here now to try and play some part before the end of the season.
"It’s frustrating. I’ve not been able to do the job I’m paid to do. That job is to train every day to the best of my ability and then go out and perform on a Saturday to try and help the team get three points, but I’ve not been able to do it.
"I’ve been in and around the dressing room on match days, and I’ve tried to do what I can off the pitch because I haven’t been able to do anything on it. That’s what a captain should be doing.
“It can be a lonely place when you are injured, but I’ve had people around me including other players who have also sadly been injured. At least I’ve been able to interact with them.
"My main aim now is to show this gaffer what I can do. He hasn’t seen me play or even train! I’m sure he wants to look at me and see how I can fit in to what he wants to do.
"I’m excited by that prospect. I’ve had a glimpse of it on matchdays, but there is much more to how he operates than that.
"I will be the one that wants to train in next pre-season. I want to be back training.”