INTERVIEW: Hoping 2014 will be better

"The games come thick and fast over the Christmas period and we all want to get as many points on the board as we can," he said. "Another home game tomorrow gives us a good chance to do that.

"It was nice to get on the pitch on Thursday even though we didn't get the result we wanted. I obviously want to play more games than I have done but I'll just keep working hard. 

"I have had to accept that I've been out for a long time so it will take time for me to work my way back into the team. That hasn't been easy but I missed a lot of time and match sharpness doesn't just come back over night. 

"I think my overall fitness has been there for a while now but I don't feel as sharp as I did. That's to be expected because I missed over nine months so it might take a few more games and more match time before I feel back to my best. 

"It was nice when the fans cheered me onto the pitch on Boxing Day and stuff like that always helps. I think we all came away from the game feeling like we should have got something out of it. 

"If you look at the balance of play and the possession then we definitely didn't deserve to lose. There's always a strange atmosphere in the dressing room after those types of games because you're disappointed that you didn't get the result. You can't be too hard on yourself because you know you played well."

"These things happen sometimes and we're looking forward to going again tomorrow," he insisted. "It's good that we've got another home game but we know it will be tough. They're in a similar position to Preston but we're at home and we've got to go out there believing we can win the game. 

"You do have to make sacrifices over Christmas as a footballer but it's such an important part of the season that you can't afford not to. 

"We all came up here on Christmas night to make sure we were prepared for the game on Boxing Day which meant we had to leave the family celebrations early. That isn't the easiest thing to do but it's all part of the job. 

"It has been a horrible year for me football wise so I'm just hoping 2014 will be better overall. I obviously had the big injury, which rumbled on for nine months. so my main aim is to stay fit. If I can do that and get my match sharpness back hopefully I'll be in the team trying to win as many games as possible."