Hughes: “I’ve Got To Make Sure I’m Right”

By: Kevin Affleck

Will Hughes revealed he is edging ever closer to a return to action, admitting he has been keen not to rush back as he wants to play a full part in the anticipated promotion challenge under Vladimir Ivić.

Hughes has not featured this season after undergoing a medical procedure in the summer and only recently returned to light training. He has been putting in the hard yards away from the group with the sports science team and is confident of resuming full training shortly.

“It's been slow but I'm making progress,” he said on Friday's free-to-air pre-match show on Hive Live. “It's all on track after I had surgery. It's been frustrating having to just watch, but I've got to make sure I'm right as it's a long season. You need a big squad to cope with a long season and I want to make sure I'm back fully and not in and out with niggly injuries.

“I started to mix with the team last week, doing the warm-up etc so it's early stages. I've got to be careful and take it slowly after surgery. I want to be 100 per cent before I resume.”

Hughes is a tough cookie, on and off the pitch, but admits injury tests his mental fortitude.

“It's difficult mentally when you are injured,” said the midfielder. “I've been through an ACL injury before and that was horrible, so I know how to cope with long-term injuries. This has been a walk in the park compared to that.

“It's frustrating not playing as I'm not a big fan of watching. Not taking part is difficult and people don't see that from the outside, especially when you aren't involved, not travelling with the team and doing longer days. I'm there every day [seeing the lads] and still seeing them but training separately.”

The 25-year-old emerged as the heartbeat of the team, let alone the midfield, last season and it is no wonder Ivić has spoken of his excitement at having a player of Hughes' calibre available.

“I've been in the odd meeting with the team and speak to him regularly,” said Hughes. “He's been brilliant. He's set out exactly what sort of football he plays so that's a good start. It will all settle down now the transfer window is closed. There has been lots of talk about certain players staying or going, so it's good it's finally over and we can crack on and know who is staying.

“It's going to be a long season, with ups and downs but we'll stick together. There are a lot of senior boys and exciting young prospects so we have a good mix.”

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