City have been lucky with injuries, but watching Freddie Draper go off the field on Tuesday night conjured up memories of another limping off in the middle of a big game.
The last time a team beat the Imps was back in December in the EFL Trophy, and it was a tough night all round. James Collins, captain for the evening, was hurt in a challenge with Sean Roughan, and it was later revealed that he had torn his ACL.
That’s a huge injury for a 30-something to bounce back from, and since then, he’s been given a one-year extension on his contract to help get him back to playing regular football without the worry of where his wages are coming from. It’s a great gesture from the club, and Collins is now a regular face around the EPC, even if not in the matchday squad.
In his pre-match press conference this week, Michael Skubala gave an update on where the former Derby and Luton striker is in terms of his rehab.
“He’s working hard,” said Michael, ahead of the comprehensive 4-0 win against Northampton Town. “He’s in every day, it’s his job now is to get himself back as quickly as he can.”
Michael then paid tribute to Collins and those around him, who are working hard to give him the best chance of recovery.
“He does a lot of work in swimming pool. He does a lot of work here then with Tom Hallas, who’s an amazing rehab physio and sensational with the guys when they’re on the rehab. He works really hard with them. And Elliot behind the scenes as a physio helps out with that.
“We’ve got an amazing rehab team to get the players back as quickly as we can. He’s still a long way for Collo to go, but his energy and his enthusiasm around the building is still felt.
“It’s good to have him because he’s supporting the lads as well, which is great.”
Collins scored 16 goals before his injury, six of which came in fixtures this season. His brace earned us a point at home against Reading, and he bagged two against Plymouth in the scintillating 3-2 win back at the tail end of August.
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