Ramsey: It has been a tough year but I cannot wait to get started again

Calvin Ramsey has expressed his delight in finally getting back on the park after a period of great frustration in dealing with a succession of injuries.

The Scottish youngster is on loan this season at Championship club Preston North End and while he is yet to play a minute for the first team, he took a big step in the right direction by playing 45 minutes in the Lancashire Senior Cup against Accrington Stanley on Tuesday.

The journey to this point has been an incredibly turbulent one. From the unbridled excitement in signing with one of the most iconic clubs in World Football,  the 20 year-old has made only two appearances for the Reds after seeing his debut campaign cut short with a serious knee injury.

After making the move to the Lilywhites in the offseason in the quest to gain some much needed first team experience, the fullback suffered a recurrence and had to come back to his parent club for treatment which saw him on the sidelines for another three months.

Speaking to the Preston North End Official site, Ramsey documented his road back to fitness  and why the only way is up from here.

“I’m delighted. It’s been a tough year for me with a couple of knee injuries, but this time when I went back to Liverpool for my rehab I made sure I worked harder than ever.

“I feel really good to be honest. I could have played longer [against Accrington Stanley], but it’s probably sensible in my first game back just to ease in and play 45. I just can’t wait to get started and hopefully play some first team games. I’m looking forward to it.”

Ramsey said despite being in a new environment, he has been truly thankful for the support he has received.

“(The timing of the injury)  was probably the most difficult part because I was here for only a couple of weeks and I was getting to know the lads, and then suddenly I had to go away again for two or three months.

“It was quite tough but I tried to keep in contact with a lot of them and was messaging them. They were asking how I was doing and stuff. It was good to keep in contact with them and I’m just glad to be back now.

“It felt like my first day again to be fair but in saying that it didn’t feel that long. I think it was 12 weeks, but it certainly didn’t feel like that. I just want to get my head down now and crack on.”

Preston have had a up and down season to date and after making a fine start with eight games unbeaten, they then went six without a victory before collecting three points in their last fixture against Coventry.

They face Lancashire rivals Blackburn tonight at Ewood Park and Ramsey is hopeful that he may play a part.

“Obviously my aim is to get in the Blackburn squad and get minutes, but if I don’t it’s a good chance for me to get a few training sessions in over the break, get my fitness up again and after the break it’s go-time.”