Hull City’s Charlie Hughes is “delighted” to be playing football again after a lengthy absence due to injury.
Having struggled through the second half of last season’s promotion-winning campaign with a double hernia which required surgery in the off season, Hughes returned to the pitch with Hull Under-21s for an 4-0 victory over Fleetwood Under-21s at MKM Stadium today (11 November).
Speaking to wearehullcity.co.uk post-match, Hughes spoke of his happiness to be back on the pitch after his return was delayed by issues with his pubic bone, pelvis and hips after his return to training following the surgery.
“I am delighted to be back out there again. It felt really good out there today; no problems, no pain, I felt fit. A big thank you to the medical staff because it has been a frustrating few months, but now I am back out there feeling good.
“I felt very confident on the pitch today. There weren’t really any moments when I was backing out of challenges or anything like that. I was confident in everything I was doing, and that was part of the physios’ conversation – picking the right moment, when I am ready to come and play 45 minutes and today we ticked that box. I am really happy.
“It is a big difference (to first team football), but the Under-21s are still very good players, it is a very good standard. So we come into this team and it is no different, we still try to drive the standards, play and train the same. We take what we need out of the games, it was really good to get the minutes in the legs.”
Reflecting on the additional injuries once he had the double hernia operation, Hughes admitted that things weren’t simple but feels that the immediate priority is to manage his load as he rebuilds his fitness.
“I had the operation in the summer, came back into pre-season and things weren’t great after the operation. I had a few more problems around the pubic bone, the pelvis, the hips – a few injuries. So we had to manage those, which were longer than expected.
“I had a few flare-ups when I was back on the grass which is normal for injuries. It has been a frustrating five months for me, but I am delighted to be back out on the pitch now.
“After injections, scans and x-rays, we finally got to the bottom of it and had a plan in place. The medical team know what it is, know what I can manage. It is just about managing my load day-in, day-out. We are stepping in the right direction.
“I am back on the grass now. Back with a smile on my face.”
Hughes however admitted that he is glad that he refused to go straight under the knife when he found out about the double hernia, as he felt he made the right decisions to manage his fitness to help the Tigers through their “unbelievable” play-off success at the expense of this season.
“Fast-forward to this season, I am gutted that I have missed the first few games but, if I went back in time, I would not change anything.
“I would not have had the operation any earlier, so I had to bite the bullet and have the operation in the summer. It is unlucky that I didn’t come back to pre-season fit enough, but now my body is coping and I am back on the grass.”
Hughes is now set for further discussions with the club’s medical team and sport science department on the next steps in his recovery, as he nears a return to full match fitness but admitted that he is mentally ready for a first-team return even though the body might not be.
“In my mindset, I am always ready. But it is about how my body can cope, recovery, managing the minutes, training, making sure that I don’t go backwards.”
In Hughes’ absence, Nobel Mendy and Lucas Herrington have joined the club and cemented their places in the defence which means that there will be competition for spots, which Hughes is relishing once he is back in the first-team squad.
“It is healthy competition, and you always have to fight for the shirt to be in this team. You did last season, and even more so this season in the Premier League. It will be tough to earn my shirt but, like anyone, you have to earn it to play for a club like this.”
The 23-year-old also is pleased to see Hull sat 13th in the Premier League, having enjoyed their solid start to the season in the stands.
“Personally, it has been really frustrating with me missing out. But also, I am sat in the stands and I am buzzing for the boys because what a start we have had! The lads have been unbelievable, and we have got some top, top quality in this team.
“Watching my mates out there getting results in the Premier League, the lads who I got promoted with, they are special moments.
“But it has been tough. The days that I have been stuck in the gym watching the lads go out to train and prepare for games, coming to the stadium to watch them play in the Premier League, those are frustrating days. But you have got to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“For me, one of those targets was today – to play 45 minutes, and days like this remind you of why you put the work in every day with the rehab sessions, the gym sessions and with the physios. Days like this put the smile back on your face.”