Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Partington wants his place back
JOE Partington has probably reached enough turning points to make him dizzy.[LNB] The versatile teenager has endured a stop-start season after being plagued by groin and back problems.[LNB] Much was anticipated of the talented youngster after he was rewarded for his progress with a two-year contract last summer.[LNB] But despite featuring in the first five league games of the campaign, Partington then spent a frustrating 15 weeks on the sidelines nursing sore groins.[LNB] A fruitful festive period saw the 19-year-old enjoy his longest run in the side with successive starts against Cheltenham, Torquay and Northampton suggesting a change of luck.[LNB] But the light at the end of the tunnel was shut out when Partington felt his back following a reserve outing at Exeter in mid-January.[LNB] Although Partington has stopped touching wood just in case he gets splinters, he hopes his injury problems are now finally and firmly behind him.[LNB] He hit the comeback trail when he was given a gruelling 90-minute run-out during the reserves' 1-1 draw at Forest Green Rovers on Monday.[LNB] It was good to get back on track, said the Portsmouth-born Wales under-21 international. I felt fine and thought I did okay. It wasn't easy at times but we tried to play and tried to do the right things.[LNB] I was hoping to be more involved with the first team this season but the injuries have held me back. Maybe I could have done better when I played as well.[LNB] I just want to work hard, get my head down and try to get my place back. I had a little run of games just after Christmas and it was great to be involved. I felt I was getting a bit more comfortable in the side and then injury struck again and I lost my place.[LNB] It's tough on the sidelines and there were times when I was fed up.[LNB] You've got to try to keep your head up but it can be difficult.[LNB] We are having a good season and I have been involved in a few wins. When you are injured though, you almost don't feel a part of it. You watch the lads and just want to be involved.[LNB] I'm not the only one though and a few of the lads have been injured this season. It's frustrating because there have been places up for grabs and I wasn't fit to fill them.[LNB] People have been playing out of position and the team has done fantastically well. Now I'm back, I will try my best and work my hardest to help in any way I can. Everyone is going to have a big part to play.[LNB] This is an important time and everybody is looking forward to the challenge. We all believe we can do it.[LNB]
