Darren Potter talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Millers midfielder Darren Potter confesses that he has endured a frustrating amount of time on the treatment table in recent weeks and admits that he was unaware just how much match action he would miss after he hobbled out of the clash with Bristol Rovers back in November last year.
However, the former Liverpool man has now returned to full training with his teammates and could make a timely return to Paul Warne’s squad ahead of a vital few games in the Millers’ run-in, in which they will be hoping to secure their place in the Sky Bet League One Play-offs.
“It's certainly been a very frustrating time for myself and one I didn't anticipate when the injury occurred,” Potter told www.themillers.co.uk.
“I didn't think I'd be sitting here having not played since that day. Such is life and that's the way that it's gone but hopefully I'm not too far away now.
“I've been back training with the lads for the best part of the last two weeks and I'm feeling a lot fitter and stronger now for the sessions under my belt and I think my return might not be too far away.
“It is what it is, there's nothing you can do and you have to get on with it and hopefully I'm through the worst of it now and I'm soon to be back.”
Potter was pencilled in to feature in the club’s recently postponed home reserve clash with Morecambe as he looks to clock up some match minutes and concedes that he may have to bide his time for a place in Warne’s matchday plans.
“It was disappointing that the one got called off last week because that would have been a chance to get a maximum of 60 minutes under my belt, which is what I need,” he continued.
“Unfortunately, until I do get a game I may not be considered to be part of the first team but that will be down to the manager.”
The lengthy lay-off has been a particularly bitter pill for the Liverpudlian to swallow, who has enjoyed a run of seasons without any issues, but he acknowledges that despite his good early season form, he will have to be at his best to dislodge the likes of Matt Palmer, Will Vaulks and Richie Towell from the central midfield positions.
“It's so frustrating because it's something that I've had before but it hasn't hindered me for this long,” Potter explained.
“I've played 30-plus games year-in, year-out and injury isn't something I've ever really suffered with in the past and that's why it's been more than an even bigger frustration.
“The lads have been fantastic and Matty Palmer has come to the club now and added a different dimension so it certainly won't be an easy task getting back into the team, but it's one I'm relishing.”
The 33-year-old is hoping that he and his Millers teammates can firm up their position in the Play-off shakeup as early as possible and is hopeful that they can all but guarantee that place over the Easter weekend.
“I think the sooner we get secured in the Play-offs the better,” Potter added.
“We've been in such a strong position for a long time but when you get a few defeats creep in and little elements of doubt you realise it would be nice for the lads to seal their fate and if we can pick up six points from the next two, we'll almost cement the position.”