Preston North End winger Kyel Reid is edging towards a return to competitive action after playing his first few minutes for PNE in a behind closed doors friendly against Blackburn Rovers yesterday.
Reid came on for the final 15 minutes, with the game used to keep those who’ve not played in the opening two fixtures fresh ahead of a long slog of a season for Preston North End.
Reid, who signed on the dotted line for Preston in the summer from fellow League One opposition Bradford City told PNE.Com he’s chomping at the bit to make his mark in Lilywhite colours, having been out of action with an anterior cruciate ligament injury since January.
On making his first appearance on a football field for seven months, Reid said “I’m more than happy because I’ve been out of football for a long time, so it was good to be back involved, and get into the swing of things.
“There was no problems with the knee – I’m feeling fine so ready to kick on and getting into how we set-up this year and how we’re going to play.
“I’m not expecting miracles straight off – I know it will take me a while to get back into the swing of things with match movements and things like that but I’m looking forward to it and looking to get down to the hard work.”
Although it seems that Reid is fully over his injury, the West Ham United youth graduate admits that there’s still a long way to go before he’s up to the standards needed for a competitive fixture.
The 26-year-old who sustained the injury playing for Bradford during a 2-2 draw against Sheffield United early in the year added “I’m back to full training with full contact so I’m just going to gradually build it up from there, so hopefully it won’t be too long before I get that full fitness back.
“I’m sure Jacko (Matt Jackson), the fitness coach and the gaffer will be putting me through my paces, with levels that I need to get back involved with the first-team so I’m sure they’ll be working hard to get me involved as soon as possible.
“In a way, it’s good timing because I’ve still been able to get a pre-season under my belt and I thought I would have been out a bit longer to be honest.
"But I’m pleased with how things have gone, so it’s up to me now to work hard and get my fitness up to scratch so I can get back out there.”
Reid, who signed on the dotted line for Preston in the summer from fellow League One opposition Bradford City told PNE.Com he’s chomping at the bit to make his mark in Lilywhite colours, having been out of action with an anterior cruciate ligament injury since January.
On making his first appearance on a football field for seven months, Reid said “I’m more than happy because I’ve been out of football for a long time, so it was good to be back involved, and get into the swing of things.
“There was no problems with the knee – I’m feeling fine so ready to kick on and getting into how we set-up this year and how we’re going to play.
“I’m not expecting miracles straight off – I know it will take me a while to get back into the swing of things with match movements and things like that but I’m looking forward to it and looking to get down to the hard work.”
Although it seems that Reid is fully over his injury, the West Ham United youth graduate admits that there’s still a long way to go before he’s up to the standards needed for a competitive fixture.
The 26-year-old who sustained the injury playing for Bradford during a 2-2 draw against Sheffield United early in the year added “I’m back to full training with full contact so I’m just going to gradually build it up from there, so hopefully it won’t be too long before I get that full fitness back.
“I’m sure Jacko (Matt Jackson), the fitness coach and the gaffer will be putting me through my paces, with levels that I need to get back involved with the first-team so I’m sure they’ll be working hard to get me involved as soon as possible.
“In a way, it’s good timing because I’ve still been able to get a pre-season under my belt and I thought I would have been out a bit longer to be honest.
"But I’m pleased with how things have gone, so it’s up to me now to work hard and get my fitness up to scratch so I can get back out there.”