After an injury which nearly left him paralysed, Ched Evans feels it’s an honour every time he gets to go out onto the pitch, and he’s relishing doing so at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
In March 2023, the forward found out he’d developed a serious medical condition which left him out of action for seven months, although things may have been much, much worse, affecting his daily life.
It was therefore a fantastic moment when he returned to action in October and, having since made 15 appearances, he values each game as much as any other.
On his return, Ched said: “It’s been really nice. Every single game I relish because ultimately Rotherham away in the snow could have been my last game of football ever, so I’m just grateful every time I step on the pitch.
“I try to do my best every time I play for Preston. Ultimately it’s an honour to step on the pitch from where I was ten months ago.”
Ched, like every other player on the North End books, will be hoping to be part of the starting XI facing Chelsea this weekend for an Emirates FA Cup third round clash.
The Blues, under the management of Mauricio Pochettino, currently sit tenth in the Premier League and have a wealth of options at their disposal, albeit they do have a few injury troubles.
Ched added: “I think any team they put out is going to be good but for us it’ll be a big game and we’ll go and apply ourselves.
“I think we’ll be a bit underestimated which goes in our favour, but all we can do is go there and give the best account of ourselves.
“It’ll be a good experience for the lads and it’ll be a nice test as well playing against some of the best players in the world and playing against a billion pound team nearly, but it’ll be a good experience and we can go there and play freely.”
PNE will be backed by a sold-out away end, with more than 6,000 fans heading to the capital.
Facing a Premier League side in a cup competition is always bound to be a big occasion, however it’s not going to be one which Ched will be treating any differently.
“It’s a good day for the club but ultimately we’re there to do our job," he said.
“I think for us, as much as it is a day out, we’re there to work and for me and for the lads it’s going to be about doing the best we can, and we’re looking to go there to upset a few people and get a result.”