City in Focus | Adeteye Gbadehan nearing return

The last few months have entailed a great deal of hard work for Adeteye Gbadehan, who is targeting a return from injury. 

The U21 midfielder suffered a Grade 3 ATFL tear and a Grade 2 CFL tear in a Premier League Cup fixture against Ipswich Town in September, but has since set his sights on getting back to action.

“I thought it was just like a rolled ankle or something, because I had never been injured before,” Adeteye began. “I ended up getting a scan and I was told the detail of the injury. Honestly, I was just devastated. I had just made my First Team debut, I felt like I was getting better and improving, so for me to get an injury, it really hurt. 

“It took me a couple of days to realise that I’m going to be out for some time. It’s my first injury and I didn’t come to Cardiff City thinking that I would get injured, nobody does, so I was just in shock. I was asking the medical team how quickly I could get back on the pitch, because I still wanted to improve and express myself on the pitch.”

During Adeteye’s period on the sidelines, he has had great support from the staff, as well as his teammates.

Adeteye continued: “The staff have been so supportive. I’ve worked really closely with Ryan Harrison, our Physio, who helped me from the beginning, when honestly at the time, I was just in shock about my injury. He talked me through it and told me it is going to be ok and I’m going to get back to where I want to get to. 

“In the gym, Arron Garrett has been really helpful with my gym programme. I definitely feel like I’ve gotten stronger over the past few months. The coaches as well, both Blox [Matthew Bloxham] and Omer [Riza] have made sure that I’m ok, not only on the pitch, but off it as well. 

“My teammates have been great, especially the players who have had injuries themselves. Isaac [Jefferies] did his ACL last season and Dylan [Lawlor] has been getting injured here and there, so my teammates have been reminding me that everything will be ok, I’m going to be able to run the same, shoot the same and will get back playing. They just always encourage me that it is just a minor setback and that I should keep working hard.”

So far this campaign, the U21s have amassed impressive results, currently sitting second in the PDL, whilst also reaching the Semi-Final of the Nathaniel MG Cup and producing fine performances in the Premier League Cup.

“The U21 team has been doing really well, which I love, because I want the team and us as a collective to do well,” Adeteye added. “My goal is when I get back on the pitch, I want to earn my spot back and kick on from there.

“I’m so proud of the team. I think it goes back to pre-season, when we just wanted to do well and we knew what we could do as a group. For them to be winning games and working hard, it’s a great feeling to be a part of that. The coaches they keep instilling the non-negotiables into the team and that helps with performances and results. Hopefully, when I get back, we can just keep going. 

“Whilst being injured, I think going to the games is just something I felt like I needed to do. I can at least show my teammate what I bring to the table, even if it’s just having their back, talking to the players, making sure they’re in a good place and helping them to improve if I can. Then also for me, I’m watching the game thinking if there’s anything that I can learn and anything I could implement when I get back on the pitch.”

After a few months of working hard on his recovery, the midfielder is now nearing a return to the pitch, having already been involved in training.

“It's felt really good to be back with the squad. Last week, it was my first time in two-and-a-half months training with the boys and being in that team environment, it honestly feels great. 

“My biggest takeaway from being injured is to not take playing football for granted and always take advantage of every opportunity. I’m in my last few weeks of my rehabilitation now, so we’re aiming to have me back by the end of this month.

“It's going to be an incredible feeling to be back playing, I really can’t wait. When I get back, whether it’s for 20 or 30 minutes, whatever it is, it’ll just be a relief and it’ll be a real testament to the medical staff, because they’ve helped me a lot.”