Reading FC defender Kelvin Abrefa expressed his gratitude after making his first League One start of the season in the Royals’ draw with Barnsley.
Having had to fight against injury issues for much of the campaign, the 20-year-old was rewarded with his first league start in place of injured club captain Andy Yiadom
“I’m very grateful for the start, it’s something I’ve been waiting for, for a very long time,” said Abrefa.
“I’ve been working. I’ve suddenly been hit with a lot of injuries this season. I’ve come back, got injured, come back, got injured again and come back so I’m very grateful to have got the opportunity the gaffer has given me.
“I feel like we’ve dropped two points, but with the situation we’re in we would have taken it.”
Having earned another important point on the road, the Royals are now safe from relegation in what has been a turbulent season both on and off the pitch.
Abrefa gave his thanks to the fans for their continued support and is now looking ahead to the final two games of the season, starting with a final away trip against Burton Albion on Saturday.
Abrefa continued: “We started the season not in the best shape and weren’t gelling as a team together.
“We’re ready for it, it’s not over until it’s fully over. The boys are gutted in there knowing we should have taken three points
“We’re very grateful, they (the fans) have been great all season and have had to go through a lot, just like us players.
“They’ve probably got it worse than us seeing what has happened with the club but we’re now repaying them with the results we’ve been getting.”
