Just over nine months after undergoing major knee surgery having sustained an ACL injury, Charlie Winfield returned to non-contact training on Thursday morning.
The energetic full-back was all smiles at Oakwell when he was gently phased into the session with our U18s as he continues his rehabilitation programme.
“It’s a good feeling,” he beamed, speaking to iFollow Barnsley. “It’s been a long time coming, I feel, but it’s the next stage, so I’m just buzzing, really.
“The knee feels good and the best it’s felt since the start of my injury, so I’m feeling good.”
While there is a lot of focus on the physical damage, it is important to remember the impact that these particularly lengthy injuries have on the players’ mental wellbeing.
Throughout this period, Charlie has remained largely positive, although he admits there have been the occasional down days here and there, which is understandable, of course.
“I just remember the end goal,” continued the 20-year-old. “When you go out and do your rehab, you see the lads training and that’s what you’re working towards.
“Just having that in mind – even on the bad days, when you’re not feeling 100% - just thinking you want to get back as soon as.
“It’s a long journey and it’s difficult – not every day is a good day, but just remembering why you’re doing the stuff you’re doing has helped a lot.”
Charlie sustained the injury in December last year; an innocuous collision in training and even saw the session out before discovering the extent of the damage.
Now, he has his sights set on a return to action in the New Year, although it will all be in his own time.
“We’ve said we’ll try and push for the first game back after Christmas, I think it’s Birmingham at home,” said Charlie.
“If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t – I’m not putting any pressure on myself, but that’s the game I’ve got in mind.”
