SM
Sunday, January 5
Upcoming predictions and previews
WN
International Friendlies
Sep 9, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
BN

1-0

James (17')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Jonny Williams hopeful injury issues are behind him

:Headline: Jonny Williams hopeful injury issues are behind him: ID:371025: from db_amp
The 25-year-old midfielder started his first international game in over three years against Belarus on Monday.

Jonny Williams believes he is back on track for club and country after injuries almost derailed his career.

Williams made his first Wales start since Euro 2016 in Monday's 1-0 friendly victory over Belarus in Cardiff.

That return to the international stage came after some impressive early-season form, which has helped surprise package Charlton to second spot in the Sky Bet Championship.

"I know I can play a lot better, but it's just nice to be back out there again," said Williams, who has had two shoulder operations in the last two seasons after battling back from a broken leg and other nasty injuries earlier in his career.

"My two shoulder injuries have been very unfortunate. It's not as if I'm a rugby player, but of course you use your shoulders a lot in football.

"It was hard to get back from them. But I feel fine now, I'm pinned in and I'm ready to go.

"The last couple of games are something to build on and hopefully I can stay fit."

Williams was hailed as a star of the future when he emerged at Crystal Palace and the late Wales manager Gary Speed called him into his senior squad at the age of 17.

But lengthy spells on the treatment table curtailed his progress and loan spells at Ipswich, Nottingham Forest, MK Dons and Sunderland failed to spark his early promise.

It was not until Williams arrived at Charlton in January that his career began to move in an upward trajectory again, helping the Addicks win promotion through the League One play-offs.

"I feel at home there," Williams said. "They welcomed me from another south London team and I wasn't sure how that would go down at the start.

"But I've loved my time there and we're flying.

"The staff who've put the team together with all the problems behind the scenes have done a fantastic job.

"It's probably the best togetherness of a team I've been involved in at club level.

"The manager (Lee Bowyer) has helped to take me to the next level and work on my weaknesses. He was a big reason why I decided to stay this season."

Williams won his 19th cap against Belarus, six and a half years after his first in a 2-1 World Cup qualifying win away to Scotland.

It was the 25-year-old's first start since he lined up in the opening game of Euro 2016 against Slovakia in Bordeaux.

"I knew if I was in the Championship I was going to get a better chance of being back in the Welsh fold," Williams said.

"I feel at home in the Championship as I've played most of my career there.

"It's a tough league, where everyone beats everyone.

"But hopefully I can play as many games as I can this season and work on my form in a Welsh shirt."

amp_article__371025 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-09-10 21:48:14:
html db last update - 2019-09-10 21:48:14 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Jonny Williams

Click here for more stories about Wales

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .