Light at the end of the injury tunnel for Tigers’ Odubajo
Injury may have blighted Moses Odubajo’s introduction to Premier League life, but the Hull City right-back insists there is light at the end of the tunnel with a pre-Christmas return to action very much on the cards.
Having helped the Tigers to promotion to the Premier League last season, Odubajo’s dreams of a top-flight debut were dealt a crushing blow in July when he dislocated his patella in their friendly away at Grimsby Town.
Requiring reconstruction of his medial patella femoral ligament, it meant Odubajo faced a lengthy spell on the sidelines and months of rehab.
But his hard work and determination behind the scenes has paid dividends, and as he prepares to return to full training in the coming weeks, hope is high that the 23-year-old can make his Premier League bow before the year is out.
(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
“Words can’t really explain how hard it was when I found out how long I was going to be out for,” said Odubajo.
“But we have a fantastic medical team here and it feels like a blessing to be back to the stage I’m at now. I’m progressing really well and I think I’ve got about another month to go. Hopefully by the next international break I’ll be in and around things, which is good.
“I’m back working outside now. I went to see the surgeon last week and he gave the all-clear to get back outside with no real restrictions. It’s a case now of trying to get back to where I was before in terms of fitness and taking it from there.
“It’s a huge boost to be going back outside to work every morning. I feel like a footballer again, even though I’m not back to the playing stage yet. Before, I’d be in the treatment room every day with people coming in and asking ‘how is it going?’ which is nice, but deep down you’re so frustrated because you don’t want to be in there.
“Then I went back outside to work for the first time and the lads were all there clapping me out. I went for my first run around the pitch and thought ‘yes, I feel like a footballer again’!”
And motivation for the former Leyton Orient and Brentford man hasn’t been hard to come by – just the promise of top-flight football is enough to whet Odubajo’s appetite.
“If that isn’t a motivating factor for someone, then what would be the point of being a footballer?” Odubajo continued.
“Of course that is what I’m working towards. I know it’s going to be tough and I’m still a way away from playing properly.
“You know you’re going to be playing against some of the biggest clubs and the best players in the world, so you have to be ready but that is a challenge I am looking forward to.”
