Rob Jones says he will keep a tight grip on the reins as he looks to make a successful comeback from his knee injury.
Rovers’ club captain made his comeback last week in action for the Under 21s, playing almost an hour against Mansfield Town.
And he is set for another run out for the U21s today in a scheduled clash with Hull.
Yet with injury issues blighting his career for the last 15 months, the 35-year-old is taking the softly, softly approach on his latest return to action.
“I’ve pulled the reins on it a bit this time,” he said.
“All my career I’ve tried to get back from injury as quickly as I possibly can, but sometimes that’s detrimental.
“Because I’ve had 14 months of ups and downs and turmoil, the reins are being pulled on a little bit.
“Hopefully I’ll get through another game and I’ll be fitter and stronger for it.
“I’m training every day, so it’s not like I’m doing nothing.
“It’s difficult to get back up to the pace that the first team need you to be at when you’ve been out for so long.
“But I’m not far away now. Three weeks ago I was miles away, but now I’m not far away.”
Boss Paul Dickov last week said Jones will need more game time under his belt before he is considered for a return to the Rovers squad.
And he will likely get that when Rovers meet Hull at Cantley Park this afternoon in a 2pm kick off.
Jones was pleased with the first minutes of his return last week and said his injured knee held up well.
He said: “It was nice to be back on the pitch. It’s been a while.
“It’s important to get out there confidence-wise and to test the knee and see how it was. It came through really well.
“I was fatigued more than anything else. I was pleased with how it went.
“I’ll play again in midweek and if I get through an hour of midweek feeling strong I’ll hold my hand up and make myself available for the first team at the weekend.”
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