Emyr Huws is excited by the chance to repay the faith shown in him by Mick McCarthy and the Ipswich Town fans after returning from an injury he admits ‘messed with his head’.
After turning a successful loan spell into a £1million permanent move in the summer, Huws suffered an Achilles injury during the first week of pre-season training which kept him sidelined until Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday.
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Some of the best medical minds in the country could not get to the bottom of the Welshman’s injury, with a number of different treatment programmes tried and surgery considered, before a solution was found which allowed him to return to action.
He looks set to start tomorrow afternoon’s clash with Aston Villa, but his journey back to a ground where he scored the winner last season has been far from simple.
“It was the strangest injury I’ve had and ever seen in my time in football, so it was weird,” Huws said.
“It messed with my head a lot and other people’s too. I’ve never had an (Achilles) problem so it was out of the blue and weird. Hopefully I never have to go through that again.
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“It happened in the first week and came from a sudden overload of training and the area around the Achilles flared up. It took an age to get rid of that inflammation so when I tried to get back training the inflammation was still there and it wouldn’t let me function. It took a while.
“It sounds basic, the injury, which is kind of was but getting rid of it is another problem altogether.
“It was restrictive and I couldn’t move because the inflammation was there. We got the right rehab programme in the end but it’s been a tough one because you look to them (doctors) for some clarification and they are scratching their heads and not giving you the definitive answer.
“There were comings and goings, ups and down, but you just have to deal with it as a footballer so I’m used to it.
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“There is nothing worse than not having control of what’s happening but I have control now, me and the physio, so we know what’s happening.
“I was really chuffed to be back and the reception I got was really nice so thanks to the fans for being patient with me.”
Huws is now pushing for a starting place for a side which has been boosted by summer signings Joe Garner and Martyn Waghorn, who have 14 goals between the, with the 24-year-old excited to be able to return to a side which has put in a string of good displays.
“When you are injured it’s not the nicest thing because you want to be out there and involved, but the boys have started the season well,” Huws said.
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“The new boys have come in and been unbelievable so hopefully they carry on the same way. We have given ourselves a good chance.
“They are playing really well so I’m thankful they have come in and started so well, they are great players.
“I think we have given ourselves a good chance to push on again. It’s good competition, everyone pushing each other, and the camp’s really positive.”
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