Jonson Clarke-Harris talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United forward Jonson Clarke-Harris says he is ‘mentally ready’ for a return to Sky Bet Championship action, after rejoining full training with the first team squad this morning.The former Oldham Athletic frontman sustained an ACL injury in the pre-season friendly with Parkgate and has not featured in the second tier for the Millers in the 2016/17 campaign, but is nearing a return after rejoining the squad on Wednesday.
With the 22-year-old now fully-engrossed in contact training he admits that whilst he may not physically be ready for an immediate return, his mind is set on donning his club’s colours on matchdays once again.
“I'm feeling great and I'm mentally ready,” Clarke-Harris told www.themillers.co.uk.
“I need a bit more fitness and sharpness physically but if you put me on the pitch now, I'd play no problem. I wouldn't be the fittest and probably wouldn't last but I'd give it as much as I could.”
Clarke-Harris is keen to get some second string minutes under his belt before a full return but will also look to use next weekend’s international break to step up his recovery.
However, the Leicester-born forward concedes that he understands that it will ultimately be down to interim boss Paul Warne to decide when he makes a return.
“I'll see how today goes and then do a little session over the weekend and hopefully I can be involved in a reserve game,” he added.
“There's an international break coming up and after that, you never know.
“From then onwards it's not up to me it's up to the gaffer.”
The striker, who has spent most of his season working closely with the club’s medical staff, also took time to pay tribute to everyone involved with his rehabilitation placing special thanks on record to interim fitness coach Ross Burbeary.
“They have been brilliant to be honest,” Clarke-Harris explained.
“Since Ross has come in, he's completely stepped up my recovery. I can't thank any of the medical staff enough because they've prepared me for this.
“They can see that I'm ready and that's why they have put me back into training a couple of days early.
“I think it might have been good for me in a way to have a year out of football and just watch from a fans' point of view. It's given me a new perspective on the game and I'm just raring to go now."