Yeovil Town midfielder Joe Haigh is targeting a return to full training within the next fortnight, raising the prospect of his first appearance for the club at the start of November.
The 23-year-old has yet to feature for the Glovers since joining in the summer, following planned ankle surgery. He told BBC Somerset reporter Jack Killah that he had taken part in some training with the squad and was gradually building his fitness.
“I did a bit of training with the team today and I’m hoping to be back in full training within the next week and a half maybe. Just slowly easing myself back into it. Then, hopefully, I’ll be back out at Huish Park at the start of November. So that’s about three or three-and-a-half weeks away.”
Haigh describes injury setback
Haigh said the ankle problem had followed an earlier misdiagnosis during his time with Dagenham & Redbridge, where he starred in the National League South last season. He said the issue had taken longer to resolve than expected and had been difficult mentally.
“Last season with Dagenham, I sort of got misdiagnosed and it’s been dragged on a lot longer than it really should have. So it’s been a bit of a mental battle and anyone who’s had injuries knows how tough it is. But I’m at the end of the road now, hopefully, so I haven’t got much longer to wait at all.”
Haigh has been a regular presence around Yeovil’s matchdays in recent weeks, appearing in pre-match and half-time warm-ups at Huish Park while he works towards a playing return.
Why Haigh chose Yeovil Town
The midfielder said the opportunity to work under manager Billy Rowley was a major factor in his decision to move to Somerset. Rowley had previously said that Football League clubs had shown interest in Haigh.
Haigh said he had been impressed by the football associated with Rowley’s previous club, Walton & Hersham, and by the attacking opportunities in Yeovil’s team. He described the project as exciting and said he was eager to contribute with goals, dribbling and combination play once available.
“So I’m itching to hopefully get out there and score some goals. I work hard, I’m technically good, I like to dribble, combine with my teammates and try to excite the fans.”
Leatherhead FA Cup tie comes too soon
Haigh will not be included in Yeovil’s squad for the weekend trip to Leatherhead in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round. However, he warned that the Glovers should not underestimate opponents who sit mid-table in the Isthmian League Premier Division after 10 matches.
The fixture has personal significance for Haigh. He joined Leatherhead at the age of eight and spent about a year and a half there before being scouted by Chelsea. His brother played for the club two years ago, and Haigh said he still knows members of its management team and one of its players.
He also pointed to Leatherhead’s manager, former Arsenal midfielder Ian Selley, and the club’s recent pre-season win over Dorking as reasons for Yeovil to expect a difficult contest.
“It’s definitely not going to be an easy game. But if we turn up and play well, hopefully we should be okay.”