GLAD TO BE BACK
Scott Wootton is hungry to suceed at MK Dons after his injury woe
A YEAR after a serious knee injury ruined his debut season at MK Dons, Scott Wootton admits he was like a kid on Christmas morning when he strolled out for his comeback game – he just didn’t bank on getting sent off!
The 25-year-old defender ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in a Checkatrade Trophy clash with Barnet last August and, by the time he returned this summer, it was all change at Stadium mk.
Karl Robinson, who signed Wootton from Leeds United, left the club in October and was replaced by Robbie Neilson – who has put his own stamp on the club.
Wootton got his chance on the opening day against Wigan but a red card for hauling down Michael Jacobs shortly before the hour mark ruined his return as the visitors, who had Callum Elder dismissed, won 1-0.
Faith
Neilson clearly has faith, though, and Wootton played a key role in their first win of the season against Gillingham, a 1-0 home victory, last weekend.
“I missed the whole of last season so it is great to be back and living the life of a normal footballer again,” admitted Wootton.
“With the time I have had out, I certainly appreciate it more and don’t take it for granted.
“I was a bit nervous for the first game I started, certainly more nervous than normal. You don’t forget how to play football but you do forget how you are going to feel.
“But as soon as we got out, I felt fine. It felt like I had not been away. It was never a red card but that’s football.
“For me, the main thing was my knee. It was fine after the game and I got through it, that was the main thing.”
Wootton insists the knee injury has had no long-lasting affect, and all the extensive rehab he undertook has made him stronger than before.
A new manager initially left the former Manchester United trainee full of uncertainly ahead of his return and he admits he was unsure if he had a future under former Hearts boss Neilson.
The Dons are rebuilding this season after a mid-table finish last year, with Neilson’s brief crystal clear – they must push for promotion.
“It was hard for me to be injured with a new manager coming in,” he said. “Pre-season was big for me really because he had never seen me play live.
“You want to show the manager and staff what you are about and what you can do. It is hard because I had to ease my way in, I couldn’t fly into tackles.
Challenging
“You build yourself up and there was a point to prove. The staff would have been aware of me but I needed to show them what I could do.
“I have coped fine, my knee has done okay, touch wood. I am not at my peak fitness levels yet so I want to certainly pick that up.”
The Dons suffered a slow start to the season, with defeats to Wigan and Blackpool ramping up the pressure before debutant Osman Sow got the winner against the Gills last week – and now they are only looking up.
“Things at the club are moving in the right direction and we have a new team really,” he added. “If we want to be challenging teams at the top then we need to be picking up home wins. We want a top-six finish, at least.”