Matty Virtue makes comeback for Blackpool and hopes for no more injury setbacks this season

Blackpool’s Matty Virtue admits he has to learn to trust his body again after more than three months out injured – but the midfielder hopes his patient approach will mean no lasting effects.
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The 23-year-old is yet to play in a League One game this season after hamstring trouble but is now hoping for a clear run until the end of the campaign.

He made his first appearance since August in Tuesday's EFL Trophy tie at Fleetwood Town, playing the first 45 minutes.

Matty Virtue made his first Blackpool appearance since August at Fleetwood Town this weekMatty Virtue made his first Blackpool appearance since August at Fleetwood Town this week
Matty Virtue made his first Blackpool appearance since August at Fleetwood Town this week
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Speaking ahead of the game, the former Liverpool man said of his injury: “It was actually in training the week after the Plymouth game. We weren’t sure if it was the tendon in my hamstring but we scanned it a week later and it was.

“It’s taken a little longer to heal than we would have hoped but hopefully we’ve given it more time, so we won’t have any recurring problems and I’ll be able to have a clear run through to the end of the season.

“I think it was a bit of a freak thing, and obviously the time we had with no access to gyms made it harder. Last season you were playing games, getting into the gym and doing strength work, but we weren’t able to do that. I’m pretty sure that played a part.

“It was all about letting it heal and then getting back on the pitch when I was able to, taking it step by step. I had to get used to striking the ball on my left foot without panicking if it would be all right. That took a bit of time but it’s been fine.”

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As he approaches two years at the club, Virtue signed a new deal while out injured, extending his stay at Bloomfield Road until summer 2022.

And this helped to relax him and focus on his body rather than his future.

And there was never any doubt in the mind of Pool’s number 17, who added: “In the current climate, with how everything is in the world and in football, it’s very positive for me. And with the manager in place, it was the right thing to do.

“I had no questions about trying to run my contract down and leave on a free.

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“I just wanted to get it done, know where I stand and concentrate on my football.

“The manager was a huge part of me signing the contract. I know where he stands with me, what he thinks of me and I know he’s got the best out of me before.

“As players, all we want to do is improve and he gives me the best opportunity to improve. Giving him my time by signing the contract is the right thing to do.

“It had been going on a while, and I didn’t want to be in the position where I was rushing to get back fit because my contract was running out.

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“Just signing that contract showed me that I’ve got time to do it all properly.

“And when it’s right I can get back to playing games again.”

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