Comeback ‘a really nice moment’ for Under-21s defender Rowswell
Tue 16 July 2024, 14:40|
Tottenham Hotspur
Young defender James Rowswell believes he’s grown mentally stronger after returning to action following an eight-month injury lay-off.
The 18-year-old featured as a second-half substitute as our Under-21s began their pre-season campaign with a 3-2 win at local non-league side Enfield Town on Saturday.
It was his first appearance since our Under-18s’ 4-3 league win at Chelsea last October, with a back injury having kept him on the sidelines in the intervening months.
A regular starter at Under-18 level in the opening weeks of last term, his injury proved to be a significant setback at the time but, now that he’s fit again and having been elevated into the Under-21s squad along with his peers from his age group, the teenager says his battle to return to fitness has only improved his already focused mindset going into the 2024/25 campaign.
“It was definitely a mental battle, seeing the guys out there training and everything while I was inside with my back in a brace – it just made me want to work even harder and gave me that extra drive to get back and be stronger,” he said.
“Because of that, making my comeback on Saturday was a really nice moment for me and to have my family there watching and seeing me get back out there, I’m just very grateful.
“I want to thank everyone who has supported me along the journey to getting back onto the pitch – the physios, the strength and conditioning coaches, obviously the football coaches, my family… everyone who has played a part in my comeback.
“I’ve definitely got mentally stronger from the big setback of missing a lot of football last year. Now I want to keep building, keep getting more minutes and keep improving. A big thing this year for me is just to have an injury-free campaign.”
During his rehabilitation process, James signed his first pro contract with the Club and also took time out to return to his old school in Bengeo, Hertfordshire to chart his rise through the Club’s Global Football Development programme.
“I think getting the contract was another incentive and drive to get back stronger and show what type of player I am,” he explained. “Now I’m in the Under-21s, I think it’s been a good change. Wayne (Burnett, Under-21s Coach) wants some new things, so it’s about learning those and continuing to make progress. It’s all good, I’m enjoying it and I feel it’s improving me as a player. It’s a good feeling coming into a league-winning squad and we want that success to continue, so we’ll work hard in training and try to make that happen.”
