Embleton lifts lid on his injury woe & his fresh aims with Cats
Elliot Embleton admits his pre-season injury was ‘gutting’ – but is looking ahead with optimism after completing his first full game in over a year.
The 21-year-old completed 90 minutes in the Black Cats’ 2-1 defeat at Fleetwood Town, in what was his first full senior game in 440 days.
Embleton hadn’t completed a match since the victory at Burnley in August 2019, with a series of niggling and frustrating injuries hampering his opportunities.
The latest of those fitness blows came in August of this year, when the attacking midfielder picked up what looked to be a minor knock in the friendly at Gateshead.
What was initially thought tobeaweek-longinjuryquickly turned into a longer-term absence, which Embleton admits was frustrating.
But having now returned to the fold, the academy graduate is looking ahead with optimism.
“In pre-season I was back and fine, and to pick up a little knock in the first pre-season game was gutting considering I missed most of last season as well,” he explained.
“It's been over a year since I played 90 minutes and it's a big plus physically and mentally to get that over with.
“We thought it would just be a week or so, but it just stuck around and wouldn't go away.
“It's sorted now and I'm looking forward to getting some more minutes.”
And while completing the game at Fleetwood was a notable milestone in terms of fitness, so too is it a psychological hurdle overcome for Embleton.
That wasn’t always the plan, however.
"The plan was to play a good chunk of the game but not all of it,” said Embleton.
"With the injuries we had, what are the chances your
three wing-backs get injured get injured within ten minutes of each other?
“Obviously we didn't want to play that much but I got through it and I feel good. “It's massive,” he continued. “It's been over a year. You get little bits and pieces here and there but to start a game and finish a game is what you play football for.”
Embleton’s spirits were kept high during his time on hamstring, that he liked the youngster is now focused on the sidelines by manager Phil way I play and that he thought building up his match sharpParkinson, who both publicly I could bring something to the ness and delivering the goods and privately hailed the youngteam. in the final third. ster’s talent. "He kept on saying that “In training I just look to
And having received the and hopefully I can get back work hard and be the best backing of his manager, the and show what I can do.” player I can be,” said Emble21-year-ton.oldisnowhopingtoSowhatnextforEmblerepay the faith shown in him ton? "If that means I get picked by the Sunderland boss. His performance at Fleeton a Saturday then happy
“T h e ga f fe r h a s a l ways wood was encouraging and days. I just want to get as many said, even when he first came showed what he could add to minutes as I can, get on the in and I was injured with my the Sunderland side – and the pitch and score some goals.”