Morgan keen to help survival mission

5:33am Thursday 28th February 2008

PAUL Morgan is ready to put nearly three months of frustration behind him and resume his career with the Shakers.

After being virtually ever-present up to Christmas, the Northern Irish defender has yet to figure for the club in 2008 after several setbacks on the road to recovery.

Away from Gigg Lane, his plans to move to the North West have also hit snags, but with light at the end of the tunnel on all fronts, Morgan is now confident he can get back in time to play a major part in the Shakers' survival fight.

"I have done a lot of work in rehab, trying to strengthen the muscle, so hopefully I'm just around the corner now," he said. "This year has been devastating. I still haven't found a house and my missus only moved up here about three weeks ago, so with all my injury problems, it has knocked me a bit.

"I wanted to be out there helping the lads and when I wasn't, I felt useless. I'm just glad I'll be in the frame soon and help get us safe and plan for next year."

Morgan showed in the early part of the campaign exactly why the club had fought so hard to secure his services in the summer, with a string of impressive performances.

"I got the injury just before Christmas and then played in a couple of games," he recalled. "Looking back, it probably wasn't wise to do that, but circumstances at the time meant we needed bodies.

"I tried to get through it but just succeeded in making it worse. That's why it has taken so long to get back to where I am now."

Morgan has kept busy in the gym, and by continuing a physiotherapy degree alongside Dave Challinor at Salford University. And now, spurred by the arrival of new manager Alan Knill, he is keen to get back into action.

"With a new manager we can progress," Morgan said. "I've worked my socks off to stay fit, so it won't be too much trouble to get back into the swing of things. My main concern this year isn't about my own performances, it's about getting us safe and getting us right for next year."