Charlton defender Ryan Inniss delighted to be back in action after gruelling five months out
BY LOUIS MENDEZ
Ryan Inniss spent a gruelling 146 days out of action with injury but the Charlton defender returned with a bang at Doncaster Rovers on Good Friday.
The 6ft5 centre-half was side-lined with a quad problem for five months but was drafted in to start the 1-0 win at the Keepmoat Stadium by Addicks boss Nigel Adkins.
The South Londoners have kept clean sheets in five of the six League One games that Inniss has featured in this season and the former Crystal Palace man looked comfortable alongside Jason Pearce in South Yorkshire.
It’s been a long road to recovery for the 25-year-old, who did play an hour in an u23s game against Brentford B last week, but Inniss was delighted to be back in amongst it.
He said: “I was buzzing. It’s been a long time coming. It’s been a steady process and I was buzzing to be back out there and get the result.
“The reserve game was different. The intensity here was a lot higher. The preparation I’ve had and the care I’ve had I couldn’t have asked for more from the physios and the staff. I felt like I was well-equipped and got through the first 20 minutes which was frantic.
“The boys dragged me through, which I appreciated, and we got the result. Yeh I definitely [came through feeling fine], the three points helped me feel even better. I’ve got a few bumps and bruises but that’s standard really. I just want to keep pushing and see if I can stay in the side for the rest of the season.
“[The absence was] really hard. It felt like longer than that for me. I was in the side and really enjoying my football and being a part of the club. I’ve tried to stay amongst it as much as I can. The boys have made me feel a part of it, the staff, the new staff, so I’ve just like to thank the club for all the help they’ve given me.
“Peacey has been brilliant. When I had been playing previously he wasn’t, so I feel like all the centre-halves have been brilliant for each other. Hopefully we can stay in the side and build up a partnership but whoever may be at centre-half and all over the pitch we’re unified and want to get the results for the fans and the club and get up to where we should be.”
PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS