Rod McDonald is hoping to be back involved for the trip to Bolton next Saturday, after successfully coming through 45 minutes of a behind-closed-doors game against Brentford B.
“I feel very good. I feel like I’m ready to try and get back into the first-team now,” said Rod after a first-half run out in the 3-1 defeat at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Friday afternoon.
“It’s been a long three months of watching the lads and I just want to get back out there and help them. I think I’m ready for Bolton, if need be. I’ve just got to force my way back into the team now.”
The former Coventry City defender, who joined us in the summer of 2018, didn’t realise the severity of his knee injury until he went for a scan.
“I just remember going up for a header at Sunderland,” said Rod. “I felt a sharp pain in the back of my knee. I went down and Stuart Douglas (physio) came on and treated me. I tried to play on, but I just couldn’t move or anything. I got the scan and found out it was a PCL rupture, which I never expected as I thought it was a sprain.”
Rod is also very grateful for the support he has received in his recovery and rehabilitation in getting back to play for The Dons.
“It’s been a long time coming, but I’m happy to be where I am now,” said Rod. “Going to St George’s Park was a nice break because I live in Stoke and it’s down the road for me. It also gave me a bit of time to see my family, as well as work hard at St George’s which was very good.
“I share a place with Ryan Delaney and Shane McLoughlin down here and they’ve definitely played a part in keeping me going. They are probably my two best mates in the team. Those two keep me going every day and its good fun living with them.
“People like Bayzo (Ashley Bayes) and Hodgie (Glyn Hodges) have all kept me going. Everyone has kept in touch with me. Dan Green (Under-23s and Lead Academy Physio) and Katy Bignell (Sports Therapist) have been a big part of it too.”
You can see the full interview with our centre-back Rod McDonald below, via the link to our official YouTube channel.