Branston ready for return

Last updated : 06 October 2004 By Andy Parsons
The former Rotherham defender has not yet played under Paul Sturrock although he is set to return to training within the next few days.

Richard Wood, Paul Heckingbottom and Graeme Lee also have had time in the treatment room recently so Sturrock will be pleased when he can finally pick from a fully-bolstered defensive unit.

Branston though is keeping his spirits up and is itching to get back into the first-team again so he can show the boss what he can do.

He told Footymad: “It has been very disappointing watching from the sidelines. I have a calf strain so I have to keep smiling and keep my confidence up.

“I should be back in training in about a week then we will take it from there, it must have been two weeks since I got the injury now and I want to get back as soon as possible.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to show the manager what I can do yet which is disappointing but we will see what happens in the future, if the manager wants me at the football club, he wants me at the football club – simple as that. I just have to get on with things by working hard for myself and for the club.”

Already Branston has seen similarities in Sturrock’s methods to those of Chris Turner, but he is happy of things have panned out in recent months.

He added: “The mood is good since Paul came in and the players have done well; he’s come in and put his rules down but we had other rules when Chris was here but overall the lads are pleased with how this transition period has panned out.

“Most managers can sometimes have the same principles with getting the ball on the floor, getting crosses into the box and scoring goals; Paul likes to work on that aspect of the game just like Chris did.”

Meanwhile, the new date for the Swindon Town game is Wednesday 27 October, 7.45pm kick-off.