Matty Willock said he was delighted to be back out on the pitch as he features for Gills as a second half substitute at Hayes Lane.
Gills midfielder Matty Willock admits that it is “great to be back” after coming on as a substitute in Gillingham’s 2-0 away win at Bromley on Tuesday evening in the Kent Senior Cup.
Willock has rarely played since joining the club in the summer due to various injuries, however he is pleased that his recovery is progressing and he is back playing on the football field again.
Speaking to the press after the game he said: “It has been a lot of hours spent in the gym and quite a few disappointments to get back to this point but hopefully it can be plain sailing from now. It felt good to be back out there helping the team and obviously helping Regan with the assist.”
Willock’s second touch of the night set Charles-Cook free to double the Gills advantage and Willock was pleased to be able to assist a friend he has known for some time.
“I am pleased for Regan as I have known him for ages as we played in the Academy at Arsenal together so I am pleased for him. In terms of my own fitness I am completely pain free now but in terms of match fitness I am not far away. I have been doing three sessions a day so maybe another week’s training and I will be back fully match fit.”
Willock was impressed by a Gills side comprised of senior and youth players and feels that they deserved their place in the third round of the competition. “We controlled the game for large parts but we do need to brush up on our own game in certain areas,” he said. “Especially giving the opposition chances, but in the main we controlled the game and deserved the win.”
The midfielder, who joined in the summer from Manchester United, acknowledges that the past few months have been tough, but he is now raring to get going in a Gills shirt. “It has been tough because I joined the club with big ambitions and injuries have made that harder as I haven’t been able to make an impact but I know that I have been working hard and the Gaffer has had me working hard, so when I do get my chance soon I will be able to make an impact.
“The aim is to make an impact and help the team and stay injury free and really push us on. It was nice to be on the bench against West Ham and I think the boys did really well in that game so I just want to stay hungry and see how it goes. Getting an assist tonight has given me the confidence that I needed after an injury and I have a good understanding with the lads and I feel like I am ready to step in.”