Wrexham midfielder Ollie Rathbone says he struggled to contain his emotions as he scored in his first game of the season after long-term injury.
Wrexham midfielder Ollie Rathbone says he felt like the "forgotten man" during his lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
The 29-year-old scored just two minutes after coming off the bench in his first league appearance of the season on Saturday, to earn his side a 2-2 draw with Watford.
Having recovered from the injury he sustained during pre-season, Rathbone - who won the club's Player of the Season award in 2024-25 - has opened up on his struggles over recent months.
"I didn't think when I was getting player of the year on that pitch in May that my next minutes would be in December. So it's been really tough," he said.
"I had the big injury in pre-season, so I missed all of pre-season. Then I had a couple of little niggles that have set me back even more so I felt a million miles away at times.
"But I've worked really hard and kept myself ultra professional and just got on with things. I've not kicked up a fuss and just worked really hard and backed myself."
The midfielder played a starring role as Wrexham gained promotion from League One last season.
He netted eight goals to end the 2024-25 campaign as the club's joint-top scorer, and having finally returned to action, Rathbone is now hoping to rediscover his best form.
"I think you need to have resilience and I think when you get to this point in your career you have to have that to play as many games as I have," Rathbone added.
"The support of my family has been incredible because it has been really, really difficult.
"I won't downplay it, it's been a really tough period for me and I felt like the forgotten man at times. But hopefully I can kick on from here.
"All I want is to feel like a part of this team and to try and help us be successful."
Fans chanted Rathbone's name in the final minutes of the 2-2 draw with Watford, and the midfielder says he struggled to contain his emotions as the contest drew to a close.
"Yeah it was nice. I was nearly welling up when I was out there, I had to try and keep it together. But it means a hell of a lot," he said.
The draw against Watford stretched Wrexham's unbeaten home league run to eight matches.
Phil Parkinson's side sit 14th before their trip to Swansea City on Friday (20:00 GMT), just six points adrift of the play-off places.
And Rathbone feels the Red Dragons will kick on in the new year as they look to build on their solid campaign so far.
"I think at the start we were just getting this new group together and you can slowly see it starting to click," he said.
"I think there's a lot more to come from us in the second half of the season."
Category: General Sports
