New signing midfielder Joe Haigh is hoping to be available to be available for selection by Yeovil Town at the start of November.
The 23-year-old was a highly-anticipated new arrival when he signed in the summer after starring for Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League South last season, but underwent a planned surgery ankle surgery in the summer.
Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Jack Killah on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s trip to Leatherhead in the FA Cup, the former Chelsea youngster confirmed he was aiming to be back in full training in the next fortnight.
He said: “I did a bit of training with the team today and I’m hoping to be back in full training within the next week and a half maybe. Just slowly easing myself back into it. Then, hopefully, I’ll be back out at Huish Park at the start of November. So that’s about three or three-and-a-half weeks away.
“Last season with Dagenham, I sort of got misdiagnosed and it’s been dragged on a lot longer than it really should have. So it’s been a bit of a mental battle and anyone who’s had injuries knows how tough it is. But I’m at the end of the road now, hopefully, so I haven’t got much longer to wait at all.”
Like many new signings who arrived at Huish Park under the reign of manager Billy Rowley, Haigh said that the appeal of playing under the Glovers’ boss was what convinced him to move to Somerset. Speaking to the Gloverscast at the start of the season, Rowley revealed there was interest in the midfielder from Football League clubs.
Haigh said: “I think from knowing Walton and Hersham and the way they played, they always played good football. A lot of people around where I live know Billy as well and I’ve always heard good things. When I spoke to them, they only said good things and the project is really exciting.
“Comparing this football to some of the football I’ve played in the past, this team is really exciting to watch. From a fan’s point of view, they must be buzzing. All the players seem to love playing in this team. It’s a really exciting team to play in and, for attackers, you can see the amount of chances you get.
“So I’m itching to hopefully get out there and score some goals. I work hard, I’m technically good, I like to dribble, combine with my teammates and try to excite the fans.”
Although he will not be in the squad for this weekend’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie, Haigh has said his team-mates should not underestimate their opponents, Leatherhead, who sit mid-table in the Isthmian League Premier Division after ten matches.
Haigh said: “When I was eight, I joined Leatherhead and was there for about a year and a half before I got scouted by Chelsea, so I left Leatherhead. Leatherhead is under 10 minutes from my house, so it’s going to be a nice away day for me when I go there.
“My brother played for them two years ago as well, so I know some of the management staff there and one of the players who I used to play with. Their manager (former midfielder Ian Selley) used to play for Arsenal, so they have some excellent experience there. I think Leatherhead has always been a well-known non-league club, around Step 3 or Step 4. They’re a tough place to go.
“I went to watch them in pre-season when they played Dorking and they beat them, so it’s definitely not going to be an easy game. But if we turn up and play well, hopefully we should be okay. It’s definitely not going to be an easy game.”