I hated injury lay-off, reveals fit-again Call
CALLUM O’hare finally started a game for Coventry City this season and, although it ended in defeat, his sense of relief was palpable.
The attacking midfielder has been out of action since suffering an injury to his hamstring in preseason. He missed all of the Sky Blues’ opening 12 league matches before making two substitute appearances against Stoke City and Rotherham United.
And although those cameos were important steps on the road to recovery, reclaiming his place in the starting line-up was the ultimate goal. City boss Mark Robins hinted that might happen against Blackpool in his pre-match press conference, but it was far from certain.
The manager’s hand was forced into making changes, though, as a virus ripped through the club.
That handed O’hare his long-awaited opportunity after months of torment on the sidelines.
“I can’t lie, I hated it,” he told the Coventry Telegraph of his time recovery from injury.
“It’s so annoying, it’s stressful watching, it’s probably more nervous watching then playing, so I’m buzzing to be back.
“The fans won’t know this, but I’ve played through lots of niggles. I always play and with that injury I couldn’t do anything. It’s been a horrible time, it’s been stressful, but now I’m back and I’m just so happy.
“It was hard, when I would go home, I’d be stressed but when I started getting on the grass, I started getting more happy and now I’m back I’m buzzing.”
O’hare not only got his first start, but he manage to complete the full 90 minutes, too. When asked how he got through the game unscathed, he responded: “I don’t know, to be fair.
“The gaffer asked me how long I could play, and I just said I don’t know I’ll let you know when I’m tired, but when the games going on you don’t think about being tired you just get on with it.”
The 24-year-old made an impact as well, setting up Kasey Palmer for the game’s opening goal just before half-time. But the Tangerines scored twice in the second-half to take all three points back to Lancashire.