Jenkinson: I’ve plenty left in tank
FORGOTTEN man Carl Jenkinson returns to first-team action for Nottingham Forest today – vowing his best years are still to come.
The former Arsenal and West Ham full-back is preparing for a hot reception at Stamford Bridge where he has experienced ‘a few wars’ in his days with the two London clubs.
But his expected recall is set against a backdrop of an ankleligament injury that has ruled him out for the past four months – the latest in a long list of mishaps that have blighted the defender’s career.
All told, Jenkinson has missed three seasons’ football with a succession of knocks, ranging from a stress fracture of his back, through to a torn knee ligament and the latest – that have seen his career stall.
But the 27-year-old now believes he is in a good place to finally put an end to that injury jinx.
He said: “I feel when you get to
27, 28 those are the best years of your career. I can’t affect impact injuries, they can happen to anyone. But I’ve never suffered from soft tissue problems. I don’t like to use the word unlucky but, to a certain extent, maybe it has been.
“Hopefully, I’ve seen the back of the ones that are out of my control and I can push on with my career because 27, 28, 29 – they are the best years of your career and I’m determined to make sure these are the best years of mine.
“I never thought it might not happen for me. I know when I’m fit and healthy what level of player I am. I know where I can play. I’ve shown it in the past and I’ll show it again. I’ve no qualms about that.
“I played under Sam Allardyce at West Ham, a good 50 or 60 games under him and Slaven Bilic then I had the first major injury, an ACL ( ) in the middle of that season. That was the first big injury. When you do that, it knocks the stuffing out of you. That’s life.
“As you get older you see other people going through similar things, if not worse. I won’t name names, but I’ve got people around me who have had it a lot worse than me, as footballers, with injuries.”
Jenkinson says he will relish this afternoon’s showdown and believes that his past will not be forgotten in the stands by the home supporters.
He added: “I like the challenge of it. I have played for two London teams and it was always a bit of war at Stamford Bridge.”