Kyle Dempsey can’t wait to get back and play his part as he closes in on a return from knee surgery.
Dempsey hasn’t featured since Easter Monday following an operation to finally clear up a knee problem which kept him out of action for six months last season.
The midfield man has faced a tough road back at times but believes he’s finally closing in on full fitness and not too far away from being able to challenge again for a place in Steven Schumacher’s highly competitive squad.
“I think everybody knows the frustrations and I think, understandably, the fans have had frustrations as well, because obviously they want to see me out there, which is massive for me,” said Dempsey, whose impressive start to last season was curtailed in October by an initial knee injury which came on the back of a fracture to his spine earlier in his Toughsheet Community Stadium stay.
“But it's been one of them where I've just had to sort of get my head down this time. I've had a complete different outlook on positivity, never dwelled on anything, and everything has sort of gone the way I've wanted it to go.
“I think in recent times I'd have probably tried to be out there and cut it short by a couple of weeks. But me and the physios have had a plan and put it together. I've trusted them and I've just taken every day as it comes.
“And now, back at full contact and then it's just about getting that sharpness back, decision-making back, and then probably two or three weeks from actually featuring again.
“Last time I knew it wasn't right, but I wanted to get back on that pitch and sort of try and help the lads out. I think we were just in and around the play-offs and I wanted to come back, make an impact and get us in there.
“It was probably a bit naive and stupid of me, but that's just how I am. But this time round I've had no catches, no flare-ups, no nothing. It's been pretty plain sailing and obviously touch wood that that continues.”
Dempsey has had more than his fair share of bad luck on the injury front since joining the Whites from Gillingham in January, 2022. But when fit and firing the 29-year-old – who will be hoping to reach 150 appearances for Wanderers this season – has often been a key man and is determined to get back and show the fans what he can do as an attacking threat from midfield.
“I haven't had a great time injury-wise at this club. It's been a very stop-start time for me,” he added. “I think this time round is why I'm taking my time with it, making sure I'm bang on, so when I come back I can stay back and I can show them what they've seen in the past.
“I think it's just a massive thanks to them to actually stand by me because they've got the frustrations and maybe some of them, which I've seen, have probably said I can't continue with having him in this squad because of the continued breakdown.
“I absolutely agree, but that's the hunger that I have now. I store that down. I want to prove everybody wrong and I still want to prove that I've got a massive part to play at this club and a massive part of getting us out of this league. I just think you always back your ability and you know how much you can contribute to the team.”
Watch a full interview with Kyle from out live match-day show on Wanderers TV