RHODES AIMS TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME...
JORDAN RHODES has suffered the most frustrating six months of his career this season, but that has only made him hungrier than ever after joining Sheffield Wednesday on loan.
Rhodes moved to Middlesbrough for £9million last January but has been frozen out following Boro’s promotion to the Premier League. He’s started just two games this term and not played since mid-December.
So, it’s understandable that he sees a deadline-day move to the Owls as salvation. And, as the striker proved during prolific spells at Blackburn Rovers and Huddersfield Town, a motivated Rhodes is a terror for Championship defences.
“These things happen in football, to many players in the world, in every month and every year, but it is just not nice when it happens to you, is it?” mused the 26-year-old.
“I have learned a lot about myself in the last six months and, hopefully, I will be better in the long run and stronger.
“It has been incredibly frustrating. I love playing football. It is all I have ever wanted to do as a kid and, when you cannot do that on a Saturday afternoon, it hurts. You feel quite distant from the game.
“It has made me even more hungry and desperate to make up for lost time and try to make an impact at this club.”
If that impact can involve getting Wednesday back into the Premier League after a 17-year absence, then Rhodes will be an instant hero at Hillsborough – and that is exactly his plan.
“This club needs to get to the Premier League. That is where it belongs,” added Rhodes. “It came so close last year.
“I was a fan in the stadium and felt the disappointment with 60,000 Sheffield Wednesday fans.
“Hopefully we can achieve that aim this year.”