Express & Star

Callum Cockerill-Mollett set to bounce back at Walsall

Callum Cockerill-Mollett is bidding to overcome his injury nightmare and repay the faith in him after earning a new contract.

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The Walsall defender suffered a setback at the beginning of December when it was feared he had suffered a hairline fracture on his leg.

Those fears were eased and he was back by the end of the month, before two weeks later tearing his hamstring away at Salford on January 4.

That was the last time he played last season but after signing a new deal with the Saddlers, the 21-year-old is ready to ‘come back stronger’.

“It’s always frustrating when you get injured, but you have to get on with it,” he said.

“We have great backroom staff who keep you occupied and make sure you do everything right, with rest and work time. It’s very different, especially as you work so hard throughout the season. At the start of the season I wasn’t playing too much, a game here and there, and then I started cementing my place so it was disappointing to get injured. That’s football, though. I have to keep my head up and get on with it and come back stronger.

“I feel like the first half of the season was probably the best I’ve ever had in a Walsall shirt.

“I had 15 appearances by halfway through the season and I was hoping to get a lot more, but injuries happen in football.

“I was coming back through my last phase of recovery and I probably would have been fit for the last three of four games of the season, but sadly it didn’t happen. I still think it was a good season for myself and I’m glad to have sorted a new contract to rack up a few more appearances.

“Lockdown didn’t come at an ideal time, but people’s safety comes first.

“Their lives have to come before personal goals. It’s been a bit different, but coming back from quite a big injury it’s given me a bit of time to catch up with fitness. I’m coming back raring to go.”