Broad smiles for Dons defender after second return from injury
After another time on the side lines, the MK Dons defender was delighted to be back
It was a wide smile on Joe Tomlinson’s face after he made his second return from injury of the season on Saturday against Cheltenham Town.
The 25-year-old has suffered two lengthy spells on the side lines this season, limiting him to just 15 appearances this season, having been a firm fixture in the side for the last two years.
Returning ahead of schedule this time around, albeit after missing eight weeks, Tomlinson started the 3-2 win in Gloucestershire on Saturday as MK Dons saw past Cheltenham and got an hour before making way for Jon Mellish in the latter part of the game.
“I missed it, it was good to be back,” said the wing-back. “I’m a happy man being back involved, starting and getting 60 minutes, getting a win.
“I don’t wish being injured on anyone, it’s not a nice place to be. I’m a very happy man being back. You’ve got to take little moments like this, I had my brother and sister in the crowd. Moments like this I’ve been waiting for for eight weeks.
“I felt great, my body is feeling great and there are 16 games left now which I’m really looking forward to. The gaffer trusted me from the start, I’m feeling no issues and hopefully I can push on now.
“I was a bit rusty at times today but that will come with more minutes. I’m really excited to hit top form for the final few games.”
While Dons were not at their fluid best at the EV Charger Points Stadium, Tomlinson said all that mattered was the end result, adding: “It’s League Two isn’t it? It’s end-to-end, it’s so tough, that’s just how it goes sometimes. But it’s another three points, and we won’t be remembering this game at the end of the season, only the three points.
“We’re taking it game-by-game, all we can do is keep winning games. We know where we can be at the end of the season.”