Ched Evans has received some good news after a lengthy lay-off, which at one point looked like could spell the end of his career.
The Welsh striker hasn’t played a game since March, when he scored the winner in a 2-1 away win over Rotherham United. However his career became in serious doubt when he developed a serious medical condition relating to his neck and spine. Football would be the last thing on your mind at that point with one surgeon even saying to him he was surprised he wasn’t in a wheelchair at that point. But after successful surgery, Evans began the long road to recovery.
A big part of the 34-year-old’s game is the contact element. Evans loves throwing himself into some aerial challenges, and his robust style was key for Preston last year. He was the club’s top scorer with nine goals, and was also voted the fans player of the year at the end of the season.
Whilst the former Sheffield United man has been taking part in light training for some time, he has recently received the green light from the specialist to return to full contact training. Manager Ryan Lowe is more than happy to include him in the squad for Saturday’s fixture against managerless Millwall.
As reported by the Lancashire Evening Post Lowe said ‘The biggest news and what everyone is probably waiting for is that Ched Evans will be back in the squad on Saturday, so I’m absolutely over the moon for him, his family and for us as a football club’.
What has been noted throughout his time at the club is that he is a key figure in the dressing room, hence his teammates picking him for the player of the year last season. It seems as though this will be a big boost to many at the club, but most of all the Welsh striker himself, who will have thought many times I’m sure that he may have potentially played his last game of professional football.
Lowe did comment that we may be set to see a different Ched Evans to the one we were used to. His training has enabled him to change parts of is game, and strengthen some areas.
‘He’s a little bit faster, lost a lot of weight but is more toned and strong. He’s more nippy; his head used to be down but he is running a lot straighter’.
‘I think we’ll see a different Ched Evans. He’s still going for that ball (when it goes up) – he’s been doing that anyway and you’re there, wincing a bit every time. But no, he’s headed a few balls, is in work with a smile on his face, goes out there and trains like a trojan every day. He is really champing at the bit.’
Will Keane and Milutin Osmajic have been leading the line for Preston so far this season, but with Evans returning and Emil Riis hopefully not too far away, Lowe will face a few selection headaches over the remainder of the season.
Most importantly though after three losses in a row, this could give everyone at the club a huge boost ahead of a tricky week of fixtures.