Wotton hits comeback trail
13 Dec 2007 - 12:58:50
Plymouth Argyle captain Paul Wotton insists he is unlikely to make his first-team return against Watford this weekend despite coming through a reserve team match unscathed.
The 30-year-old, who has made almost 400 League appearances for the Pilgrims, has been sidelined for over 12 months since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, but played for almost an hour of the second string's win at Exeter City.
"I'm a bit stiff and sore, but that's perfectly normal and to be expected," Wotton said after the 2-0 victory.
"Anyone who knows me knows that I'd play on Saturday if the manager wanted me to play, but I want to do myself justice.
"When I come back in to the first team I don't want people to look at me and say 'yes, he's been out for 12 months'. I want to be back to where I was and the only way I'll get there is games.
"I was maybe half-a-yard short of where I want to be, but that will come. I haven't played 90 minutes for 13 months, so I'm maybe making demands on myself which my body can't keep at the minute.
"But I'm not being negative - I'm absolutely thrilled."