EX-CAT EGAN BATTLING BACK FOR THE BEES
BRENTFORD CAPTAIN HEADS BACK TO STADIUM OF LIGHT, FIT AGAIN AFTER CONCUSSION
Former Sunderland defender John Egan returns to the Stadium of Light this weekend, looking to keep Brentford on track for a tophalf finish in the Sky Bet Championship.
The Irish defender came through the Black Cats’ ranks but did not get a first-team opportunity before departing in 2014.
Now, the 25-year-old is captain of Brentford and eager to make up for lost time, having just returned from a second concussion this season.
He was back in the matchday squad at Derby a fortnight ago without getting on, but he returned to play the full 90 minutes in last weekend’s 1-1 home draw with on-form Preston.
On the Preston draw, Egan told i Follow Brent ford :“It was a bit of a scrappy game.
“Like ourselves, Preston like to get in people’s faces and that made for a lot of second balls.
“We picked them off a couple of times and worked some good chances in the first half, but we were more in control during the second half.
“They scored out of nowhere, but we bounced back well and I really thought we’d go on and win it at the end.
“If there’s one thing this team doesn’t lack, it’s character. We plugged away and Judgey (Alan Judge) came very close with a free-kick, but it just wasn’t to be in the end.
“If we keep that character on our side it’ll take us a long way.”
Egan, who heads back to Wearside with the Bees in 10th place in the table and Sunderland 23rd, looked back on his absence, telling GetWestLondon: “The concussion hit me for six really and it has taken a while to get better. The medical team were great with me.
“They were very patient and the gaffer as well. It took a few weeks to get my head right. It’s great to be back out there and back fit and healthy. Hopefully that can continue.
“It was my second one (concussion) of the season.
“It took a bit longer than normal to heal. Concussion is a bit of a grey area.
“No scans can determine the extent. It’s all about how you’re feeling. I tried to return to play a couple of times and I wasn’t feeling great.
“These things worry you at the time so hopefully I’ve come out of it stronger.”
“Going to see the specialist, which the club sorted out, was good for my head. He was able to tell me it’d be fine, but it’d take longer than expected.
“No footballer wants to be injured but it’s part and parcel of the game. You have to take your time and get back right.”
Egan, though, will not change the style which has served him so well at Gillingham, Brentford and four clubs on loan. “As a centre-half, you have to put your body on the line and that won’t change,” he added.