Reading FC defender Sam Hutchinson is eager to make an impact on the pitch for the Royals this season.
The 33-year-old centre-back made his competitive debut in Reading’s 1-0 win over Middlesbrough last weekend.
Hutchinson has been plagued with injuries throughout his career, which originally forced him into retirement at 21, but he has since reversed his decision to forge a successful career in England.
After picking up an injury against Brighton in pre-season, he made his Reading debut by playing 65 minutes against Boro.
“Doing pre-season everything was good and I felt good in myself and then woke up the next day after Brighton and felt something,” said Hutchinson.
“I played the 90 minutes and thought I just had cramp but it was worse than I thought with the pain in my calf which has been the story of my career.
“It’s hard because you have all different emotions after doing a hard pre-season.
“You feel embarrassed, you feel guilty because of the lack of numbers and you come to a new club and want to make an impression.
“It’s good to be back. It was a bit of a risk but I’ve done that before and I’m more than happy to do it.”
Hutchinson only discovered that he would be starting against Boro the morning of the game after only completing a very small amount of training since his injury.
He continued :”The case was pretty much to see how long I could play.
“I had literally only done half an hour the day before and joked to the gaffer saying I don’t mind starting.
“And then it was needs must. I’ve done it before but because it was a muscular injury it was more of a risk.
“I’m here to play games, not to train.
“If something happened to me, I have to take that on the chin.
“I cramped up after 65 minutes which was expected.
“I always want to play 90 minutes, but it couldn’t have gone much better.”
Hutchinson believes that the current squad have a good mix to try and help the Royals improve on last year’s difficult campaign.
“We’re only five games in and have got a long way to go.
“The talent is there, the hard work is there and it’s about having the nous to put everything we’re taught into a gameday.
“A little bit of game management, some older heads, some younger enthusiasm, there’s a great mix here.
“I always think you have to have some academy graduates through because they understand the club and have an affiliation. You see what the club means to them.”
