Pogatetz Ready For Action

The Austrian played in a reserve game at Billingham Synthonia and ended with ice strapped around a hamstring niggle but stressed "it's nothing".

Emanuel Pogatetz: “This is nothing for me to worry about after what I have been through.

“I am happy because my timing was good. I felt really sharp in the game. I feel that I am ready to play 90 minutes again.

“I came off as a precaution. I know that I could easily have played the 90 minutes if not for the hamstring.

“I am training with the other players and I am very pleased with the progress that I have made.

“I am in contention for a return to the first team squad. That is what I have been working hard for.

“It’s been very frustrating because you are just working on your fitness all the time.

“Sometimes you have good weeks and then you have a bad week and you start to think you might not make it.

“People keep asking you how you are doing. I must have been asked 1,000 times. You have to deal with it and keep working.”