Another big step for patient Jones
JODI Jones took another big step towards full fitness this week with a decent run out for Coventry City’s Under-23s.
The Sky Blues favourite travelled with Luke Tisdale’s development squad to Charlton Athletic where he was named on the bench in a 2-0 away defeat.
The 22-year-old made his return to the first team in last week’s EFL Trophy clash at MK Dons, going on as a second-half substitute for the last 15-odd minutes of the 2-0 loss.
And he went one better in the 23s where he went on at the break and played the full 45 minutes of the second half.
Asked about the plan for building up his game time and when fans can expect to see him back involved in the first team on a regular basis, Jones said: “There’s no rush.
“I can’t wait to get back with the boys because they are doing so well at the moment, although I know I am going to have to fight for my place.
“It’s a challenge, and I like challenges, so I will work my way back with the Under-23s and get 15/20 minutes here and there and who knows how long it could be.
“It could be a month, two months before I am back fighting for my spot in the first team, but I feel good.
“I have picked up little niggles because I have been out so long and my legs are still getting used to it but my knee feels really strong and I am happy with that.
“The physio and gaffer have been really good with me and not rushed me.
“They have said that if I feel something to tell them and every time I have felt something they have done the right thing by taking me out of training for a couple of days.”
Matty Godden also took another big step in his Coventry City comeback as he came on as a substitute in Tuesday night’s FA Cup win over Ipswich.
The Sky Blues striker was handed 19 minutes at the death when he replaced Max Biamou.
The 28-year-old – signed in the summer from Peterborough United to be City boss Mark Robins’ main man to get the goals – is clearly ahead of schedule on his return from a niggling groin area injury that has kept him sidelined for almost two months. Godden’s initial prognosis would have seen him out for four months with the need for surgery but that was downgraded after further scans and the player responding well to treatment.
“The physio has done a brilliant job with him,” Robins said.
Defender Josh Pask, meanwhile, made his first appearance after being handed a place in the Under-23s starting line-up at centre-half alongside Jordon Thompson, who has been recalled from his loan spell at Boreham Wood.
Former West Ham United development player Pask can also play at right-back and was brought in for his versatility at the back when he signed in the summer.
But he is yet to kick a competitive ball for the first team due to suffering a pre-season ankle injury that required surgery.
My knee feels really strong and I am happy with that. The physio and gaffer have been good with me and not rushed me. Jodi Jones