Archived News from January 2019
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MACDONALD AND MIRFIN UPDATE ON THEIR FITNESS
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'Desperate to get back involved,' says injured midfielder
mansfieldtown.net Stags’ midfielder Alex MacDonald has said he is ‘desperate’ to return from injury and help the amber and blue build on their excellent form in Sky Bet League Two. The Stags have been mightily impressive of late, winning four out of their last five matches, and recently extended the unbeaten streak to 17 matches in Sky Bet League Two. MacDonald last appeared for Mansfield away to Cambridge in late September, and since which has suffered from bone bruising in his knee. The 28-year-old says that it has been ‘hard’ to watch from the sidelines in his period of absence. “It [injury spell] is hard to put into words really,” he said. “It’s been the longest period of my career injured. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2019/january/macdonald-interview-03-january/ “It was hard at the start and it’s even harder now watching, as the lads are doing so well. I’m desperate to get back involved and seeing the lads playing as well as they have been doing, it’s frustrating being on the sidelines. “I want to be out there with the lads helping [to build] on what has been a very good festive period.” The midfielder also went into detail on what his day-to-day activities have consisted of during his spell on the sidelines. “[I’ve been doing] quite a lot to be honest. I’m in earlier than most of the other lads,” he said. “We [injured players] are doing a lot of gym-based work. “I’ve had to come off my knee completely for quite a long period of time because of the bone bruising. “I’ve been [working] on my knee to hopefully get the leg strength up and be outside running again soon.” MacDonald spoke of the timeline on his return, adding that he plans to be out running on grass next week. “I hope to be back on the grass running in the early parts of next week, if not, later next week. That’ll be running. “Then there’s a sort of mini-pre-season coming up for me. I spoke to Tom [Whittamore, head physiotherapist] this morning. It’s been 15 long, hard weeks that I’ve been injured for now. “It’s time to get fit now and really motor on and hopefully help the lads in the back end of the season.” ---------------------- Defender has sights on return after lengthy absence mansfieldtown.net Stags’ defender David Mirfin has hailed the ‘brilliant support’ he has received from the club on his road to recovery, as he moves towards his return to football. Mirfin, who has been out of action for over a year due to a knee injury, has been recently integrated into training sessions with Mansfield’s reserves. The defender says that after a ‘frustrating’ year, he has his sights set on completing 45 minutes in a reserve fixture in the coming weeks. Speaking on Thursday afternoon, he said: “It [year without football] has been very frustrating. You realise how much you love playing. “When you’re watching the games, you want to be out there. It’s been a really tough year, but I’ve had so much support from family and friends, and the club have been brilliant. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2019/january/mirfin-interview-03-january/?fbclid=IwAR3lQUy0HdAn3t0W1UyGdyi8804M6j5RqO2D9NzSitmvWqd_cR5SmoV0ALc “I’ve had another good session [today] with the under-21s and a few of the pros who didn’t play the other day. It’s good to get more miles into my legs. “I’ve been back for probably about five weeks now, I’m just building to hopefully 45 minutes in a reserve game. “With the Christmas period, when the first lads haven’t been in, it’s been good to build up my fitness with the under-21s. “In a normal week, I’ve been with the first team, but when there have been games I’ve been with the under-21s to keep that fitness up. “I think a lot of it [return to first team] will depend on how I feel after that first 45 minutes in the reserve game. It’s just a case now of timing the game right with my training.” Stags currently boast the best defensive record in Sky Bet League Two this season, having conceded just 16 goals in 24 matches. The 33-year-old says that the impressive back-line is something he wants to be a part of, and added that the difference between the fitness of the Stags’ players now compared to when he last played for the amber and blue is ‘massive.’ “I’ve seen how fit the lads are,” he added. “My marker is what we were like last season when I was playing, and the improvement in fitness and how we go into games is massive. “The stats prove it [defence] is the best in the division, and to only have lost one game at this stage is a massive compliment to the lads and how hard they’re working. “They always say a successful side is built on a good defence and that’s what we’ve definitely got at the moment. “[Breaking back into the first team is a] massive [challenge], probably the biggest of my career. You look at how fit, how strong, how organised, and the results that we’re getting, it’s something that you want to be a part of.” The three-time promotion winner also spoke of his adoration for Mansfield Town, noting that the club is set up for a successful season. “I can’t explain how much I love it here. I can’t imagine how much I’d enjoy it if I was playing! Ever since I walked into the building, the staff, the fans, the players - and I think that comes down from the chairman and Carolyn - they make you feel so welcome. “I think if anything, everything is more set up [than my time at Huddersfield or Scunthorpe] to achieve it [promotion]. “With the players that the gaffer has brought in, it’s all geared up. It’s such a solid group. People come in and know their jobs and roles, everything is geared up for a successful season.” iFollow Stags subscribers can watch the defender’s interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today. -------------------- Mansfield Town defender David Mirfin reflects on frustrating year out through injury chad.co.uk Mansfield Town defender David Mirfin is nearing a return to football after a ‘frustrating’ year out with a knee injury. The 33-year-old has endured a long spell on the sidelines but is keen to get back into competitive action for the Stags. He has been training with the club’s reserve team and has his sights set on making a return in an upcoming reserve team fixture. The ex-Huddersfield and Scunthorpe man said: “It [year without football] has been very frustrating. You realise how much you love playing. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-defender-david-mirfin-reflects-on-frustrating-year-out-through-injury-1-9521558 “When you’re watching the games, you want to be out there. It’s been a really tough year, but I’ve had so much support from family and friends, and the club have been brilliant. “I’ve had another good session [Thursday] with the under-21s and a few of the pros who didn’t play the other day. It’s good to get more miles into my legs. “I’ve been back for probably about five weeks now, I’m just building to hopefully 45 minutes in a reserve game. “With the Christmas period, when the first lads haven’t been in, it’s been good to build up my fitness with the under-21s. “In a normal week, I’ve been with the first team, but when there have been games I’ve been with the under-21s to keep that fitness up.” And added: “I think a lot of it [return to first team] will depend on how I feel after that first 45 minutes in the reserve game. It’s just a case now of timing the game right with my training.” ------------------- |
Latest | January 2019