Leroy Cudjoe’s return to the field may have been delayed, but it’s done nothing to take the smile off his face as he closes in on a return to action.
The Huddersfield centre was due to return to action last weekend in the Giants’ reserve game with Wakefield, only to have that opportunity taken from him as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
However, after a long spell in the wilderness and with uncertainty surrounding his future, the former England centre can see light at the end of the tunnel, after almost two years of inactivity.
“The knee is feeling really good,” Cudjoe told League Express.
“I’m very happy with where I’m at, given where I’ve been previously.
“It’s frustrating to miss out on the reserve game because I was really looking forward to getting back playing, but it can’t be helped, so I’ll just focus on training and getting better physically.”
When the opportunity arises, it will be Cudjoe’s second attempt at returning from a terrible knee injury, after he made a failed attempt midway through last season.
He managed just one game, before quickly realising there was still something wrong.
“Last year was frustrating, I came back after so long but it still wasn’t right and the game just proved that.
“We got another opinion on it and the surgeon agreed it wasn’t normal to be out for so long and still be experiencing pain. But the positive from that consultation was that he was very confident he could help me get back playing.
“Since my last surgery I’ve been pain free, which is what was meant to happen the time before that. The surgery just didn’t go well the first time, even though we were told it did.
“I’m very excited to get back and I think everyone can see that in me. I’m enjoying training more then ever, the staff have had to pull me back a few times because I’m pushing myself too quickly at times, but I see that as a good sign as last year it was a very different scenario when I was back in training.
“Mentally, I’m in a very good space and very confident in the knee. The training I’ve done and the boxes I’ve ticked in rehab just gives me confidence that I’m on the right track to getting back to doing what I enjoy.”