Jordon Mutch prepares for the future at Birmingham City
Initially it was felt rest would provide a cure, which is hey Mutch had to put his feet up - literally.
“Being in the wheelchair was awful,” he said. “Not being able to walk or stand up properly, not being able to have a shower standing up . . . it was horrible.
“I could do nothing. I was watching the football, thinking maybe I could have been out there and helping the team as well.”
Manager Alex McLeish was bowled over by Mutch’s ability, dynamism and drive in Austria, where he dominated a game against Czech Republic side FC Viktoria Plzen.
A ‘baby Gerrard’ with a hint of a Michael Carrick was how this Birmingham Mail reporter described him.
“I’m going to do work over the summer and then hopefully I will be back with the team in pre-season and get in it,” affirmed Mutch, who has confidence in his own ability to go all the way.
“In Austria, the manager and his coaches had belief in putting me in the team. The players were great with me. And after doing well myself I had more confidence to be in there more and be playing more.”
And when the call came at competitive senior level, there were no nerves, instead disappointment that he didn’t take TF’s place in history.
He might have done at Blackburn Rovers in the Carling Cup in September 2007. Steve Bruce had every intention of using him, but red tape meant he was not allowed to be named among the substitutes.
“It was a shame I couldn’t beat the record, but it was still good to get on the pitch and make my debut,” said Mutch, who is from Alvaston, Derbyshire.
“It was a great feeling. I wanted more after it, it made me hungry.”
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