James Maxwell is delighted to have put injury concerns behind him and is focused on finishing the season strongly both personally and as a team with Rovers.
The full back endured a frustrating first few months of the campaign due to injury and feared he may have been struck down again after being forced off against Crewe Alexandra earlier in the month.
But he returned two games later in the win over Forest Green Rovers and is determined to keep his spot over the final eight matches of the campaign.
“I’m feeling good,” he said. “I was lucky that I caught the injury a couple of weeks ago before it got any worse.
“It was probably my fault for even starting the game. I felt it on the Friday and I could have pulled out.
“But it’s been a frustrating season for me and I want to start every game. Luckily I got away with that.
“I felt good. I felt really fit out there and now the biggest thing for me is recovery for next Friday and Tuesday night.
“I’m spending a lot of time in the physio room prepping and doing my stuff before and after training. It’s been a big change for me in the last year.
“Before that I played hundred-odd games in a couple of years and you just think you’re invincible.
“It turns out that I wasn’t and I’ve had two big injuries in the last year. In hindsight, now I’m through the other side of it, it’s a good thing for me and for the rest of my career I can stay on it.
Maxwell extended his stay with Rovers until the summer of 2026 in midweek and has appreciated the positive reaction his new deal received from supporters.
“The fans took to me straight away, which was nice,” he said.
“I’m not one who plays up to fans or is overly exuberant on the pitch. I get my work done and go down the tunnel so I’m not sure if they want more back from me.
“But I really appreciate the support and all the messages have been fantastic.
“As long as I keep performing I’m sure that will continue.”
