Former Sunderland striker Charlie Wyke made an 'emotional' return to competitive action at the weekend - nine months after suffering a serious heart problem in training. The frontman, who spent three years on Wearside and was the club's 31-goal top scorer the season before last before joining Wigan last summer, went into cardiac arrest and collapsed during a training session last November.
Wyke was later fitted with an implantable defibrillator. The 29-year-old played his part in Wigan's pre-season, but at the weekend he was involved in their 1-0 Championship win at Birmingham City - a result that was all the more impressive given that the Latics played for 80 minutes with ten men following Joe Bennett's red card.
He came off the bench 20 minutes from time and provided the assist for the decisive goal, with ex- Sunderland loanee Nathan Broadhead getting off the mark for his new club. Wyke said after the match: "It's been a really long time coming.
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"It's been a crazy period as everyone knows, but thankfully I'm back playing now. It was really emotional, especially to have my family in the crowd watching on.
"I don't think anyone can really understand what me and my family have been through, but thanks for sticking by me and its unbelievable to come on the pitch and get an assist. I want to come back, play well and do well for the team.
"The club - the fans, manager and players - have been unbelievable with me, I cannot thank them enough. It's been unbelievable to have their backing in a tough ten months but I'm back now and hopefully, I can put it all behind me."
Wigan, who were promoted along with Sunderland and Rotherham last season, have collected six points from their first four games of the season.
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