24-year-old Cheltenham Town left-back Jordan Cranston has played his first game since his hamstring injury back in November; the Welshman got 45 minutes under his belt in a friendly match against Bristol City and is delighted to be back after an extended absence.
“I have been out for a long period of time so it is a great feeling just to play 45 minutes. I’m happy to get through with no problem with the injury and happy to get back out playing.
“I feel fitter, stronger and it is amazing to be back out with the lads and playing.”
However, Cheltenham’s January loan signing Ilias Chatzitheodoridis has been performing incredibly well in Cranston’s absence, being awarded Cheltenham’s man of the match against Wycombe. Cranston is aware of this and knows he will have to compete for his place back in Johnson’s side.
Chatzitheodoridis is on loan from Championship side Brentford until the end of the season, and will take some doing to move him out of the left-back position.
Cranston: “I am still a way from competing in the first team, but we have a run of reserve games coming up so hopefully I can play longer, get match fit and push for a recall to the first team.”
