Cardiff City left-back Jamilu Collins says he is “ready to go” after making his long-awaited return to training, Thursday, 379 days after he sustained a cruciate ligament damage in a league match against West Brom in August.
Before suffering the injury that forced him to miss a large chunk of the 2022–23 season, the 28-year-old was in excellent shape.
The former Paderborn player missed 45 games for Cardiff as a result of the injury.
The Nigerian returned to full training with his teammates nine months later as they prepare for pre season campaign.
In an interview with Cardiff City TV, Collins expressed relief as he returns from a long injury rehab.
“It feels amazing,” the Nigerian said. “It was a long last season for me, so I feel really good to start my first, full pre-season with the team again.
“I’m really happy, I’m motivated and I’m feeling really good.
“It was hard, but it is what we want. We have to try and see where our limits are. But, it’s just the first day. We will keep working harder and harder to push that limit and hit the peak.
“The spirit already is high. I love to see the smiles on the face of the boys, and the gaffer also is a lovely guy. You can see he is just making jokes around the players, and letting us know already from the very first start what he wants.
“The first conversation with him was really lovely from the start. He has already shown what kind of person he is; joking with the players, and obviously, the boys are smiling towards everything.”
He added, “That means a lot to me. Me and the boys, we have a really good connection. The players, the medical staff, the coaches, everyone was just lovely towards me.
“From the first day they really pushed me, and they made me feel good every single day of my rehab. I am really grateful to have great lads like this.”
Collins also mentioned his love for the City supporters and his aspirations to play as many games as he can this year in front of the Bluebirds’ fan base.
“I have to give back what I couldn’t accomplish to the fans, and I owe them this,” the Left back assured.
“This season, I am hoping it will be a better season than it was, and I hope we will all be smiling at the end of the season.”
“We will see how the season goes, but of course, we want to see that the fans are really proud of the Club, and have more love than they ever had.
“There is no greater feeling than to play in front of the Cardiff City fans. You can see how lovely they are, to be honest. I know they deserve more last season, but I think this season they will be more proud of us.”
