Eck: It’s a fresh start Defender is relishing the chance to work under new boss Kearney

Craig Ritchie

Adam Eckersley insists he is ready to bounce back after being thrown on the scrapheap by former manager Alan Stubbs.

The Englishman was among five players told during the club’s preseason trip to La Manga that he was free to find a new side by the former gaffer as Stubbs wielded the axe on last season’s Championshipwinning squad within a matter of weeks of taking up the reins.

Eckersley hasn’t featured at all this season – not even earning a spot on the bench –prior to undergoing ankle surgery last month.

However, the 33-year-old, who is now looking forward to working under Oran Kearney – who replaced Stubbs last week – is determined to work his way back into the firstteam fold.

“I don’t want to say too much on the matter but it has been tough,” Eckersley told Express Sport. “It has been very difficult. It was hard to take after doing what I had done for the club over the last 17 months.

“To then be told by the manager, after a week, that I was not going to be required was hard to take.

“It has been tough on me and it has been tough on my family too, I must admit.

“It has not been an enjoyable eight weeks but that guy is down the road now. He’s away and we have a new manager in that I am very much looking forward to working with.”

Eckersley will remain sidelined for at least another four weeks as he battles back to full fitness following surgery on his ankle.

Working alongside physio Alex McQueen, the former Hearts man is building himself back up ahead of a return to the first team.

However, he revealed that being shunned by Stubbs was perhaps the best thing that could have happened having previously been misdiagnosed.

He explained: “I had been having some problems, so when I was told I was no longer required I decided to go to the treatment room.

“Maybe I could have carried on playing but with that decision being made for me, I wanted to try and get this injury fixed.

“The new physio came in and told me I needed surgery. I didn’t even know before that. He literally looked at my ankle once and said I needed to have surgery and that is where I am at.

“I want to be back to my very best and that is what I’ll be trying to do.”

A n d ha v i n g put the disappointment of the last three months behind him, Eckersley insists he is looking forward to getting to work under Irishman Kearney.

He said: “The manager seems like a very nice guy and I can’t wait to get my boots back on.

“My first impressions have been very good. I am looking forward to playing under him.”