Nathan Broadhead has detailed why it took him longer than he was initially expecting to return from his recent hamstring injury.
The on-loan Sunderland striker limped out of the 5-0 win against Cheltenham at the end of September and only played his first 90 minutes since that game in the FA Cup defeat to Mansfield.
His first and only goal so far this term came in the Carabao Cup where he netted the opener in the 2-0 victory against Wigan Athletic.
The hamstring injury forced him out of the penalty shootout win at QPR in the next round but he will now be hoping for an extended run in the team.
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The 21-year-old’s return to action was not as swift as he would have liked, taking much longer than the two-week spell he was originally expecting.
“I've had a hamstring injury before, it’s a common injury in football,” said Broadhead when asked about his recovery process.
“You have to take time and I was meant to be out for two weeks but I felt a little bit in there so I rested a few more weeks to get it right.
“I have done it before and I know what it’s like so you just have to pull yourself through and build myself up again.
“This is a stepping stone for the rest of the season.
"It was a difficult time out and I’ve worked hard in the gym to try and get my fitness up. Hopefully I will be rewarded.”
He will be desperate to get his first League One goal following the international break and, with the Black Cats recent slip down the table, there is no better time for him to get it than against Ipswich.
They are the next visitors to the Stadium of Light in a week’s time and Lee Johnson will be hoping his side can get their first win in seven games in all competitions.
They are still inside the play-off places but, if the poor form continues, then they will soon be replaced in the top six by one of the chasing teams.
Broadhead will be focused on easing the goalscoring burden on Ross Stewart and admitted he is a forward he enjoys playing with.
He said: “I like playing with Ross. We give each other confidence and I think hopefully we can work it out.”
If they can strike up a strong partnership then it will surely only be a matter of time before Sunderland return to the automatic promotion places.
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