Jon Obika is thrilled to be back in the thick of the action and is now focused on helping Town return to winning ways against Southend United tonight (7.45pm Kick-Off).
The striker made his first outing since October during the Reds’ 4-0 defeat away at Rochdale on Saturday, and he is in confident mood ahead of the trip to Roots Hall this evening.
“I’m feeling good and I think it was more the mental aspect because when you come back from a knee injury you always want that first challenge,” he said.
“Even in training people may not go at you as they would in a proper competitive game, so once I felt that then I felt I could have gone on.
“I was happy I came through Saturday and now it is about getting that match fitness up.
“Every time I’m on the pitch I try to give my all so I’m just glad I’m back and I’m looking forward to proper going at it now.
“I don’t like being in the gym because you are watching from the sidelines and it is tough to take, but I’ve been through it a lot and I know how to come through it.
“I trained on Monday and a very intense session so the boys feel good, we know what shape we’re playing in and we are looking forward to the game tonight.
“There is no dwelling on Saturday because we know it is going to be a long season and we need to put together a run, so the quicker we do that the better.”
Southend United are a side in form and are unbeaten in their last six Sky Bet League One games, scoring seven goals and conceding just one in their last two outings, but Obika has fond memories of going up against the Shrimpers dating back to last season.
“We beat them twice last season and the two teams have changed, but I feel like we should take confidence because when we are at our best we give any side a good game and we show all of our qualities,” he added.
“But we need to do it when it matters.
“There is no reason why we shouldn’t go out there and believe we can get a victory.”
