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Fulham midfielder
Giles Barnes
ready for First Team |
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Fulham midfielder Giles Barnes claims he is fit and ready to prove his worth at Fulham after a frustrating, injury-hit spell at Craven Cottage in which he has yet to make a single first-team appearance.
The midfielder joined The Cottagers on loan with a view to a permanent move from Championship side Derby County during the January transfer window but has spent a lot of his time at Craven Cottage in the treatment room and so far none of it on the pitch.
“It’s been a frustrating last 13 months – not just since I’ve been at Fulham,” Barnes said.
"I’ve not played yet, but I’ve worked on my fitness with behind close-doors games and reserve team games as well as taking advice from the conditioning coaches here.
"The knee injury kept me out a long time from February last year. My first comeback was against Coventry before I played against Manchester United [in January], and then I came here.
“Then I had a heel problem, which was injected, and I had to stop training for a few days. It came from training and a pair of boots. The pair that caused the problems were the ones that scored two goals against Manchester United – and I wanted to continue with them – but now they’re on the mantelpiece.
“Then I took a knock on my knee, which didn’t set me back, but I needed to train with strapping, and I didn’t want anyone to see me playing like that. I’d rather get the knocks now early in my career than later.
“It’s been a big frustration not to play. Just when you build yourself up for two week or something, there’s another setback. I’ve been here six weeks and there’s eight games left so there’s still time. I’ve worked up to playing 90 minutes. I’ve really enjoyed my time at Fulham though – it’s been really positive from the gaffer and the players."