So happy to be back playing again
By Mark Currie, Daily Post
29 November 2005
WREXHAM'S
forgotten man Jim Whitley can at last see an end to his 10-month injury lay-off
after completing the third reserve team outing of his comeback at Preston North
End yesterday.
The 31-year old utility player last figured in manager Denis Smith's first team
line-up in January and has suffered countless setbacks in his bid to overcome
what was for a long time a mystery knee problem.
"Eventually we found out that my kneecap had moved across and the muscle needed
building up on the inside, which is quite a simple thing to put right," he said.
"But because it had taken such a long time to find out exactly what the problem
was the muscle was more or less wasted away.
"So it's taken a long time to get it back to how it used to be and, touch wood,
it's okay now."
But Whitley said he had a lot yet to do in terms of improving his fitness.
"I've come through almost three full games, apart from getting sent off in the
last minute last week, and I'm feeling stronger now," he added..
"The knee problem has gone. There were no twinges at all today so I'm feeling a
lot happier in my own mind. Now I can start doing a bit extra in training, just
to sharpen up, but overall I'm very happy with the way things are going.
"I've been out for the best part of nine months and I'm actually looking forward
to reserve team games, which is not what you would normally expect at my age.
"I have started putting a few tackles in now, which wasn't the case in the first
couple of games, and I've not felt anything. I want to keep playing and get a
bit nearer to the first team.
"I need to be a bit sharper and exactly when I come back into the squad will be
up to the gaffer. There's a danger you can be thrown back in too early, so I'm
happy to bide my time.
"Until then I just want to play football and I'll know when I'm getting sharper
and it will become evident in my game. I want to make sure my body is right and
I don't want anything silly, such as a pulled muscle, to hold me back.
Everything feels great and I'm looking forward to pushing on."
Following yesterday's match at Deep-dale, which the home wide won 2-0, Whitley
laughed off a minor toe infection for which the Preston club doctor prescribed
medication.
"If it's not one thing it's another," he said. "After my first game earlier this
month I had a blister, normally the sort of thing you get in pre-season.
"But I haven't worn boots for so long I'm getting them now. That's left me with
a little infection in my toe as a result, but I don't mind that because a few
antibiotics will sort it out."
Two first half goals from Preston striker Joe Anyinsah condemned the Dragons to
defeat, but Joey Jones' side were never outclassed and they created enough
chances to have taken a share of the spoils.
Youngster Jamie Reed was foiled on several occasions by veteran goalkeeper Gavin
Ward and substitute Alex Darling-ton hit a post late on.