Other clubs may have let the defender go, but the Tigers stood by him and he has re-paid them by making his first start in 15 months in the reserves yesterday.
Thelwell made his return in the 4-1 reserve victory over Grimsby and the defender couldn’t be more full of praise.
Thelwell said: ‘Peter Taylor has stood by me, especially when my injuries have taken so long and they thought I would be back quicker than this.
‘It’s been 15 months and nobody expected it to be that long. A lot of clubs might have just said sorry but we’ll have to let you go, so I’m definitely grateful to the club. I want to repay everyone that has had faith in me and get back in the first team.’
Thelwell has also reserved special praise for Hull City club physio Simon Maltby.
He’s been great,’ added the 25-year-old defender.
‘He’s had a lot on his plate this season with all the injuries but he really understands players.
‘When I’ve been down, he’s always been there.’
With his injury worries now hopefully behind him, Thelwell is desperate to pull on the City shirt again and make his debut for the Tigers in the Championship, but he knows patience is the key.
He continued: ‘It is just one step at a time. I’ve played my first 45 minutes for 15 months and the next step is the reserve game next week and hopefully I can play longer in that.
‘I need to get my fitness up even more and then we’ll take it from there. The aim is to get fit and get back into the first team and it will be great to play in the Championship.’
Thelwell has found it difficult watching from the sidelines for so long, but he is slowly getting there and could be in contention for the first team in a couple of weeks.
Share this article
Related Articles
