Stroud Sport
Popular defender stars in comeback
3:56pm Tuesday 7th February 2012
CHRIS Todd is relishing the chance to throw down the gauntlet to Eddie Oshodi and Jamie Turley for a place at the heart of Forest Green’s defence.
The popular 30-year-old, tore two of his three hamstrings off the bone on his debut against Stockport County on the opening day of the season,but marked his return to action with a man-of-the-match performance in the Reserves’ 4-2 win at Torquay last week, which sent David Hockaday’s side to the top of the totesport.com Combination.
Todd’s commanding performance helped secure a win which saw Michael Pook, Tommy Wright, Chris Allen and Truo City’s Dan Smith on target.
The Swansea-born defender joined Rovers from Newport County in May on a two-year deal and had spent six frustrating months on the sidelines.
“ I was very pleased to get 45 minutes under my belt,” said Todd.
“The plan was to get 30, but it went better than expected and I trained the next day as well.”
Todd is unsure when he will be ready for a first -team return, but is looking forward to challenging the imperious Turley and Oshodi.
He said: “I hope to go from strength-to-strength, but need a few more games before I can start looking over Eddie (Oshodi) and Jamie’s (Turley) shoulders.
“We’ve good competition at the back with Luke Graham as well, so it can only be a good thing for the gaffer to deal with.”
Todd may also go out on loan in an effort to build up his match fitness.
He added: “Going out on loan is a possibility, but it would be something I would need to sit down and talk to the gaffer about.”
Todd paid tribute to senior sports therapist Tim Grigg, who he has worked with during his extensive rehab programme.
“Griggy has been a massive support in my rehab and I can’t thank the gaffer, chairman and staff enough.” Grigg is now guiding Todd along his path to a first team return.
He said: “Our main goal now is to develop match fitness for Toddy via intensive training and playing some more reserve team football before we see him in the first team.
“He has had a few little set backs during his rehab, which is to be expected, but he has remained totally focused and truly professional the entire time.
“He is by no means out of the woods just yet, and there is still some work to do to get him right but it will be like having a new signing once he is back to full-fitness.”
Rovers are also seeing light at the end of the lengthy injury tunnel Grigg added: “All our other injuries are progressing nicely with positive feedback coming from our orthopedic surgeons.
“Reece Styche (knee), Curtis McDonald (ankle), Al Bangura (knee), James Rowe (knee) and Kieron Forbes (hamstring) are moving through the functional stages of rehab and Sam Russell (thigh) is in the early stages of physical therapy.”