Millwall striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson feels fully fit after “nightmare” final season with Reading
Millwall striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson has declared himself fully fit after his League Cup double.
The Icelandic international has played the full 90 minutes in the Lions’ League Cup matches this season – and scored twice in Tuesday night’s tie at Oxford United.
They are Bodvarsson’s first goals since signing from Reading in mid-July for an undisclosed fee.
“I feel 100 per cent now,” said the 27-year-old. “When I played against West Brom in the cup I was a bit rusty.
“I hadn’t played 90 minutes in probably six months. That was a big plus to get that in the body. On Tuesday I felt more fresh, sharp and at it.
“Last season was a nightmare with injuries. I had a lot of little niggles which were preventing me getting a run of games. A lot of struggle with my calves. I was always chasing it last season and never got on a roll.
“Now I feel good. I don’t feel any pain or any nibbles. Hopefully it will stay like that.”
Bodvarsson admits he could have had a hat-trick in midweek. One shot clipped the outside of the right post and there were other near misses from crosses into the box.
“The positive thing is I’m getting those chances – obviously I have to put most of them away,” he said.
“I could have scored, on a good day, four goals. Two goals is okay, but I wanted to score more.
“You want to get an early goal, an early [scoring] start, when you are a striker. Fortunately it happened. It’s a good stepping stone moving forward.
“The plan is to get even more and help the team even more.”
Bodvarsson’s first saw him latch on to a Tom Elliott flick before finishing. The second was a header across Oxford keeper Simon Eastwood from a Jason McCarthy cross.
So which did he take most satisfaction from?
“Probably the first one – because it is pure instinct. No hesitation there. I knew as soon as I got the touch I was going to score.
“Whether I start or I’m on the bench, I will always be ready to try and help the team as best as I can.”
PHOTO BY BRIAN TONKS