Midfielder raring to go despite injury
Oscar Gobern is looking to return to the starting line-up on Saturday despite picking up a head injury at Turf Moor on Tuesday night.
The 22 year-old was replaced shortly before half-time after a clash of heads with Town striker James Vaughan.
However, Gobern has been given the all-clear by Head Physiotherapist James Haycock and is now focusing on the trip to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
“The ball came in from a corner and I saw the ball in the air and I think Vaughany has gone to defend it as well,” Gobern recalled.
“We clashed heads and I come off the worst. It’s what happens when you put your body on the line.
“There isn't a break which is the good thing, but it’s just a deep cut which needed three stitches,” he added.
Gobern has only recently returned to the starting 11 after a serious ankle injury that he picked up in August.
He was injured in Town’s League Cup encounter against Preston North End which kept him out of action for five months, but is now enjoying his time back in the squad.
“The injury meant I was back to square one and had to start all over again,” he said.
“The Gaffer has given me a chance and I hope I can repay him with some good performances.”
Gobern has appeared in all three league matches since Mark Robins’ arrival in West Yorkshire and is relishing the opportunity.
“I had a few chats with the previous manager and he reassured me that I would get a chance when I was fit and it was just up to me to get fit,” he said.
“I’ve worked hard in the gym to get myself back right and fortunately the new Gaffer has given me a chance.
“When you’re injured, you’re put to the back of the mind and it’s up to yourself to try and get back in to the team and showing what you can do.”
Town has picked up four points in the last two league games, which Gobern believes is the result of hard work in training.
“The Manager has been great in terms of the tactical side and everyone knows their job,” he said.
“As you can see from the last two games, we’ve gone out there and looked pretty solid which is the main thing. The boys are fighting and defending for their lives and putting bodies on the line.
“You’ve seen in the games that they are diving in for anything - taking blows and hits.
“He just wants us to be solid and to get on top of our opponents early on and try to get a foothold in the game and we can build from there. If you don’t concede, it only takes one goal to win a game.”
On Saturday, Town travel to East Sussex to take on Play-Off candidates Brighton and Hove Albion.
“No game in this league is easy,” Gobern said.
“We went to Burnley and that was a tough game and we are now going to Brighton who are in the Play-Offs, so we know the task in hand.”
“They are a good footballing team; Gus Poyet has got them playing really good football.
“It’s up to us to nullify any potential threats and impose our own game.
“It’s all good to be solid but we like to pass, and the Manager is emphasising that more and more as we train.”
The Brighton game is an all ticket fixture - there is no pay on the gate - click HERE for match ticket information!