Preston North End striker Ched Evans puts injury troubles behind him

Ched Evans is looking ahead to this season after putting a disappointing campaign behind him.
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Evans was limited in game time during the 2021/22 season, although he did manage 24 appearances. Compared to his previous season with North End, where he joined in January and played 21 times in the second half of the season, it was a disappointing return for the Welshman.

He scored twice, in back to back appearances against Middlesbrough and Fulham, but was hampered by injury throughout the campaign.

Ched Evans during the pre-season friendly with Bamber Bridge.Ched Evans during the pre-season friendly with Bamber Bridge.
Ched Evans during the pre-season friendly with Bamber Bridge.

“For me, last season was massively stop-start,” he said.

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“I had a little injury in pre-season that turned into a big injury and then I had no pre-season and ended up missing five months.

"Touch wood, I've got through this pre-season which has been three times harder than any pre-season I've ever done.

"Hopefully I can come through positively and it can roll through into the season. For me as a striker it's about getting into the box, scoring goals, taking chances, and the all-round game of coming back and helping the lads out defending, taking the whacks and stuff like that.

"That's my game and I'm enjoying it at the moment."

Evans suffered with plantar fasciitis at the start of last season, an issue with the bottom of his foot. It causes pain in the heel and arch of the foot, with advice against walking or standing from the NHS, something which Evans had to manage whilst trying to be a professional footballer.

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With no visible symptoms, the condition frustrated the 33-year-old but he has now made a full recovery from that and other ailments.

He said: “Initially it was four weeks and it turned out being five months. Because it's something you can't really see, that was the most frustrating thing.

"Towards the back end of last season I tore a tendon in my toe, then I came back and within 10 minutes did the same thing against Fulham.

"I've just got to write last season off and that happens in football. It's gone and now I crack on with this season.

"Once I'm fit and playing games I can offer a different outlet for the team.”