George Elokobi wants to finish off the job that so many injured players, like Brennan Dickenson, have worked so hard to achieve this season.
Centre-half Elokobi will hope to inspire Colchester United to a home victory over Yeovil, on the last game of the season this Saturday, to give the Essex club a fighting chance of making the League Two play-offs.
Dickenson, who was named the U’s official player-of-the-year on Tuesday evening, suffered cruciate ligament damage in training last week.
The 24-year-old left-sided specialist, who has banged home 12 goals this season, and contributed seven assists, is out for up to nine months, so joining the likes of Luke Prosser, Frankie Kent, Sammie Szmodics, Craig Slater, Denny Johnstone and Kurtis Guthrie on the sidelines.
The experienced Elokobi, who himself picked up an award this week – the Colchester United Supporters’ Association’s away player-of-the-year – is now determined to do his bit against Yeovil, to earn three points and a possible play-off push for all his long-term injured team-mates.
“We are all very gutted for Brennan (Dickenson, because he has had a cracking season,” explained Elokobi.
“It was sad for him to sustain the injury that he has got, at the training ground, but he’s got our full support as a team and as a squad. I’m sure the fans wish him well, as well, and I’m sure that he will come back stronger. I came back from a disgusting injury as well, an even worse one.
“We are playing for the injured players like Brennan. He had already played his part.
“It is down to us to carry on that good form and try to finish the season on a high. It’s not over, and we are not going to have any regrets come the end of the season. It’s going to be an exciting weekend ahead, definitely.
“We must focus on ourselves, but we must also respect Yeovil – they are a good side.
“We are going to play like we have always done at home. At this stage of the season you want to be within a chance, and we have managed that,” said Elokobi. The U’s are one point off the top seven.
Tom Lapslie (young player), Luke Prosser (Community) and Tom Eastman (CUSA away fans) also picked up awards at the player-of-the-year ceremony.
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