Midfielder returns to squad after injury nightmare
AFC Wimbledon Under-18s take on Tooting & Mitcham United’s first-team on Sunday and there will be no happier player to be out there than Louie Cockle after he put a horrific injury behind him.
The midfielder was on crutches for four months after suffering a broken leg in the summer of 2014 and it’s only now that he has been able to make a return to match action.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Louie (pictured right with manager Mark Robinson) admitted that he thought his football career was over.
“I snapped my tibia twice and my fibula once," Louie recalled. “It was an open fracture as the bone came out after the tackle. I now have a metal rod in there holding it together with two screws. For the first four months I never thought that I would be able to play football again.
"When I got told I would be on crutches for four months my head was down, but I came through it and worked hard on my rehabilitation. I started walking again after four months, then jogging, and slowly started to get towards training again. I also started doing aqua physio with swimming in the water to build up the muscles around my leg.
“Now I am going to try and get into the starting 11 for the away game at Cambridge United. I am working hard on my speed and trying to get that extra half a yard. I will just enjoy being back on the football pitch with all the boys again.”
Louie, who is in his second spell with the Dons after five years at the Fulham Academy, wished to thank academy physio Jenna Richards for helping him back to fitness.
An extensive interview with Louie and Mark Robinson is now on Dons Player, which also features the thoughts of Alan Reeves and George Pilbeam ahead of the Under-21s at Merstham tomorrow.
. You TubePart of the interview with Louie and Mark Robinson can be viewed by clicking on
Mark Robinson said: “You say it is like having a new player, but it is like Louie has never been away! He is a great character, the lads love him, and he is always at the centre of everything that is going on. It is great to have him back showing what he can do and over time he will only get better.”
Dons fans are welcome to watch AFC Wimbledon Under-18s in match action at Tooting & Mitcham United’s on Sunday (12 noon kick-off). The match takes place on the back 3G pitch at Tooting & Mitcham.