Midfielder Jason Kennedy has had an unbelievably difficult six months as injury and, more recently, illness related to his immune system have limited his appearances, but things are now looking up as he targets a return to action as quickly as possible with the new season just around the corner.
“The lads have been working hard and not being out there to do what they’re doing has been very frustrating,” he said. “I watched the videos of Cassius Camps and things like that and that’s when you really want to be with them.
“I’ve done Cassius twice already and I know from experience it’s a very tough day. It’s good to test yourself and get through it so it would have been better to have been there. Mind you, hearing from the lads it sounds like it was a bit more difficult this year.”
“Looking back over the last six months, with me being in and out through injury, it really has been difficult for me,” he confirmed. “Prior to this blip I’ve managed to train every day through my whole career so when you can’t do that for six months it really isn’t ideal at all.
“Hopefully I’m sorted now and ready for the rest of the season. The most important thing is that I’m back on the road to recovery and I’m feeling a lot better. I’m looking to progress the work I’m doing in training and then push for a starting place as soon as Dolly and Lee Fearn say I’m ready.”
“I’m not going to rush it,” he continued. “I’m going to come back when I’m properly ready so that I’m hopefully at my best. Dolly has made sure I’m taking it at the right pace and along with Lee they’re telling me what to do and when to do it.
“They’ve been brilliant because they’ve helped me through when I’ve had days when I haven’t been feeling so great, so a lot of credit has to go to them.”
Kennedy’s first day back with the group following a short break away for more recovery was when he met up with them at Mottram Hall last Wednesday, and the reception he received was enough to put a smile on anyone’s face as the banter quickly started to fly.
“I’d like to think I get on with all the lads,” he commented. “The skipper, Danny Grainger, was the first one to give me a big hug and they were all brilliant when I got back with them last week.
“They wanted to know how I was, and they gave me a bit of stick, but that’s just the changing room we have here. There’s a very close bond and there’s banter flying all over the place. It’s nice to be amongst it all again.
“A big part of the reason why I’m here is because it does feel like home. I’ve got on well with everyone since I got here and it feels like a perfect place for me.”
His last first team appearance brought another typical poacher’s goal as he came off the bench at Exeter in May to bag his eleventh goal of the season and he confirmed that he’s looking forward to more of the same from the season ahead.
“It’s starting to get real for everybody now,” he said. “All the work we’ve put in has been towards getting the Swindon game right. It’s just round the corner now and I think everyone is looking forward to it.
“Obviously I’d like to think I’ll be available for that first game but Dolly has been advising that a more realistic target for me is the weekend after that. As I said earlier I’ll work with him on that and I’ll listen to his advice.
“We’re all up for the challenge of pushing for promotion again this year. I’m looking forward to getting on with it personally because I want to put all of this behind me. It’ll be good to be back on the pitch and scoring those two-yard tap-ins again!
“That’s hopefully what I’ll be doing this season again. One or two from a bit further out will be good as well. Mind you, I’ll take any that come - however they come.”
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