After being sidelined since September 2021, Ipswich Town Women captain Blue Wilson made her long-awaited return to the pitch on Sunday.
The 21-year-old suffered a torn ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) and subsequently underwent surgery on her knee 18 months ago.
The midfielder has worked hard through her rehab, having a set back which needed further surgery, but made her return in the 3-0 win over Plymouth on Sunday.
Wilson, speaking on her return, said: "I've been available physically for probably a week or so now but Joe was keen on me earning my place and I'm absolutely good with that, I think that's how it should be especially with the squad depth we've got."
It was on the 85th minute when she made that return, replacing Eloise King, and went on to say: "It was good moment and although it wasn't for that long it was just important for me to get the first one done.
"I felt like there was quite a lot of pressure on the first one because it's always been when are you back, when are you back?
"So I wasn't really bothered about how many minutes as the goal in mind was to get some minutes on a football pitch in a match and prove that I can come back from injury, when actually for many of the months that has been a doubt."
She continued: "I enjoyed the day, the nerves didn't get the better of me, it wasn't too pressurised although it was a high pressure moment."
Manager Joe Sheehan, speaking about his captain's return, said: "I'm so pleased. This wasn't just a token gesture, she has earnt her place in the squad and we manged to get her on.
"This is a great moment for her and I'm sure she will look forward to make more steps to feature more and get some games together."
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