Gareth Ainsworth is delighted to be back in the building as he continues his recovery from heart surgery.
The Gills boss is grateful for the hard work of Richard Dobson and the other members of the coaching staff in his absence, and showed appreciation for all of the support he has received within the Football Club.
Ainsworth discussed the plan of action as he continues to recover from the procedure, confirming that he will be taking time to return to the dugout. However, once he is back, he reassures everybody that his charismatic energy will not be impacted.
The 52-year-old spoke of the importance of getting your heart checked, encouraging everybody to do so.
In his absence...
It feels longer than it has been. I'm all fixed now, which is the main thing, and I am ready to go. I have got to take it easy still. Unfortunately, I am not going to be able to be in the dugout for a few games, but being back at the ground and back at the training ground has been important for me.
It has been hell watching from home and trying to do things from home. I say watching, but there are some games that I wasn't able to watch. The MK game, for obvious reasons, and the FA Cup game is difficult to watch [no stream]. It has been quite frustrating, but I have to say that Dobbo [Richard Dobson] and the staff, I can't thank them enough for stepping up and taking it all on in my absence.
I know people look at things and say that it hasn't gone great, but it probably would have gone the same under me. There is no reason sometimes in football. I was doing plenty of team selection and tactics behind the scenes, and sometimes it goes like that, and you have these little runs.
The support from the Football Club...
Brad and Shannon [Galinson] have been absolutely outstanding, keeping in constant contact. Joe [Comper] and Brad came over to where I live to see me. I can't thank the club enough for the support that they have given me. I want all of the fans to realise that we have a special club here, not just for the football, but for many things.
I am lucky to be the manager, and very proud to be the manager.
The plan as he continues his return...
Thank you for all of the messages that I have had. I am all fixed and raring to go now. I have got to take it a little bit slower than usual, but I will be fine.
To be at the ground will be important. I am going to have to teach myself not to get so emotionally involved with the game when I am a little bit detached from the dugout. At home, it was okay. The Cheltenham game wasn't the greatest when Elliott [Nevitt] scored right at the end; that definitely shot the heart rate up. Apart from that, it has been pretty tough watching and just wanting to be there and inputting.
Team talks, half-times and full-times, I will be there. In the actual dugout for the actual game, I will be a bit more sensible on that one. I am going to be at the ground and at the games, and fully present at training.
Whether it could impact his work on the touchline...
I am fully fixed now, so it is just this initial three-month period where I have to take it a bit easy. There should be no reason why I can't get back to being the animated character that I was before the operation. I am looking forward to that. It's just taking it easy for this small period, which is a sacrifice that I am willing to take.
The importance of everybody getting checked...
I would urge everybody to go get checked. If they put the stethoscope on your chest, don't think that it is a run of the mill thing. That does pick up some serious stuff.
Go and get checked if you haven't been checked. They are important.
