Ipswich Town midfielder Cole Skuse delighted to prove doubters wrong with injury return
Cole Skuse said he enjoyed every minute of his return from injury as he featured for Ipswich Town for the first time this season on Saturday, writes Jacob Henderson.
The midfielder, who signed for the Blues from his only previous club, Bristol City in 2013, has been out of action due to a fluke knee injury suffered in training which subsequently led to an operation.
After five months sidelined, the 34-year-old made his comeback when he took to the Portman Road pitch for the final 26 minutes of Town's 1-0 Sky Bet League One victory over Plymouth Argyle.
"I've never been through a period like that in my career so I enjoyed every minute of the return," Skuse told the club website.
"It's been a long five months but one thing I certainly want to do is go on record and thank everyone that has helped me come through it.
"The medical staff and everyone involved behind the scenes at the club have been brilliant. I'm absolutely chuffed that they've made it possible for me to get back out on the pitch.
"It was a good game to come into because it was a challenge. We were 1-0 up against a side that played some good football so we had to be on it. I enjoyed getting back into the thick of things and as a collective we saw the game out well.
"Yes it's been five months but I'm feeling really good. When I first picked up the injury I heard a few people saying 'that's him done at his age' but all that did was add fuel to the fire and give me even more drive."
As well as the medical team and other members of staff at the club, 'Skusey', as he is known at Playford Road, also paid tribute to friends and family that have helped him over the last few months.
"My support system has been great. My wife and children have been amazing and the lads in the squad have done nothing but give me well wishes and help in any way they can," Skusey, who made his 275th appearance for Town when he came on against Argyle, added.
"That's people like the media team and other people at Portman Road on a match day as well. Everyone's said how pleased they are to see me back out there and it makes it so worthwhile. It's been a grind but it's so nice to hear people say 'it's good to see you playing'.
"Something else that made it more enjoyable was the fact we won. If I was speaking after a defeat, although I'd be pleased to be playing football again still, the mood might be slightly different!
"It was nice to play under the new gaffer for the first time as well. He's brought a bubbly energy to the place and I'm looking forward to hopefully playing more football under him."
Boss happy to have Skuse back
On Skuse's first game in more than a year, manager Paul Cook said it was just good to have him back available.
“Cole and Chambo (Luke Chambers) have been stalwarts for this club, they’ve been outstanding players, they’ve been outstanding men,” he told the media in his post-match interview on Saturday.
“You have longevity in football because you’re good and you look after yourself properly. They’re great role models for any of our younger players.”
Fellow midfielder Flynn Downes had to go off with a hamstring issue in the first half, with his growing partnership with Andre Dozzell now set to be broken up.
Asked if Skuse is ready to start games, with Town at Fleetwood Town tomorrow night (7.45pm) before an important-looking trip to fellow promotion-contenders Portsmouth on Saturday (3pm), Cook quipped: “He might not have a choice, might he? I’ll have to go in and have a chat with him!
"I think with Cole, you have to talk to him and see what’s right for him. Certainly I know he’d not want to let anyone down. I don’t think you’d see Cole refusing to play or not asking to play.
“But let’s just wait and see, let’s enjoy our win, that’s what it’s about and we can look forward to Fleetwood on Tuesday night.”
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