MCCOY GLAD TO BE BACK AFTER ‘FRUSTRATING’ INJURY LAY-OFF

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U18s midfielder discusses return to action

2024-10-10T11:00:00.000Z

MCCOY GLAD TO BE BACK AFTER ‘FRUSTRATING’ INJURY LAY-OFF

U18s midfielder discusses return to action

2024-10-10T11:00:00.000Z

U18s midfielder discusses return to action

Saturday 28th September was a day to remember for Adam McCoy, who pulled on a Burnley shirt for the first time in just over nine months in the U18s' Professional Development League match against Sheffield Wednesday.

The midfielder came on as a 65th-minute replacement for Frankie McMahon-Brown in the young Clarets’ 1-1 draw with the Owls, having recovered from two stress fractures in his lower back.

“I was struggling with a bit of back pain around November 2023,” he explained.

“It eventually got to the point where I couldn’t play after the FA Youth Cup win over Birmingham City in December, and a scan confirmed two stress fractures in my lower back - one on each side.

“It was originally meant to just be eight weeks out but another scan at that point showed that the fractures were a lot worse than the first time around.”

McCoy was set a gym-based programme consisting mostly of light mobility work to try not to upset the injury.

That was built up over time and the teenager, who turned 18 last month, was fit enough to be part of the Academy’s pre-season training camp in Poland.

“My pre-season was mostly grass work alongside little bits in training like the warm-up and technical parts.

“It was great to be back around the lads properly and it definitely helped me mentally, as you feel part of the squad.”

MCCOY GLAD TO BE BACK AFTER ‘FRUSTRATING’ INJURY LAY-OFF - Image 1

Fast forward to the weekend before last and McCoy, who joined Burnley at U15s level following his release by Manchester United, explained how the match day had a slightly different feeling to normal.

“I’ve been trying to get back for ages and it felt a bit surreal to be honest!

“I was on grass for six to eight weeks before returning, which is a while but obviously I needed time to get back up to speed.

“That was frustrating because all you want to do is play football, but the staff and the lads were great with me.

“On the morning of the Sheffield Wednesday game all of the staff wished me good luck and said how good it would be to see me back out there.

“I don’t normally get nervous before a game, but I was when I was sat on the bench for this one. Because it was 0-0 when I came on, I was trying to make any kind of impact I could to help the team get a winning goal.”

His introduction had the desired effect as he played a key role in Zach Johnson’s late equaliser and, with his minutes likely to be increased in the weeks to come, McCoy finished by expressing his aims for the rest of the campaign.

“Hopefully I can be injury free so I don’t have to see the inside of that gym again! It would be great to gain some experience with the U21s at some point too.”

Tony Philliskirk's U18s are next in home action against Fleetwood Town on Saturday 19th October, with supporters welcome to attend the 11am kick-off at Burnley Training Centre for free.