Captain’s Column

I’M GUTTED for Michael Duckworth to have sustained a serious injury.

I think he had a bit of an issue with his shoulder for a few weeks and he was having to have it strapped.

I think he was maybe conscious of it when the tackle came in and fell on it.

It looked like a really bad one and it’s going to be a lengthy process for him. I’m sure it’ll be very frustrating for him considering it’s related to his upper body and obviously you play football with your lower half.

I know he’s had to deal with lay-offs in the past and knowing the type of lad he is, he’ll do all the rehab professionally.

I think he’s probably having his best season to date for the club, so it’s going to be a loss for us.

He’s a real quality player and he’s not easily replaced.

We’ve got Jacob Hanson and Jeff King, whose been playing in that wing-back position and done well.

I’m all good. I trained all last week so I was in line to be available for the game against Sutton on Saturday.

I’m not 100 per cent clear in terms of pain but it’s to a level now where I can manage it, and I’m happy to play at this pain threshold.

I’m used to playing through pain. Me and Clarkey (Nathan Clarke) had a conversation last week where we were saying it’s probably been about 10 or 15 years since we’ve been pain free for a game.

There’s certain levels you can play with and certain levels you can’t. I’ve had a kick on an old surgery site so that’s what inflamed it.

But as long as I look after it in-between games and training, I’m sure I’ll be able to manage it.

It’s never nice, unless you’re on a really bad run of form, having a break from your games, and we were doing really well up until that Halesowen fixture.

But we’ve just got to get back on the horse this week in training and continue what got us the success in recent weeks. Fundamentally, that is hard work, being organised and having a threat going forward.