Augustus Kargbo wants to make up for lost time after returning from a year out with injuries.
The Blackburn Rovers winger has stepped up his fitness with more game time, playing 45 minutes at Swansea City in his longest playing period since returning.
A thigh injury, initially thought to be a dead leg, sustained last October ended his season, whilst a hamstring issue in pre-season caused a further delay.
It meant Kargbo went almost a full year without a competitive appearance for Rovers. His wait for a start dates back to August 30 2025, which will be 435 days by the time West Ham comes around.
Read more
'We've got to keep going' - Tony Mowbray's message ahead of West Ham clash
'I don't have any fear' - Blackburn Rovers winger relishing freedom under Mowbray
Blackburn Rovers supporters snap up tickets for Burnley trip in rapid time
‘Hugely wrong’ – Tony Mowbray bemoans late disallowed goal against Stoke City
'Rightly so' - Stoke City boss Mark Robins gives verdict on disallowed goal
It has been a gruelling period for the attacker, both physically and mentally. He opened up on the battle he's faced and what helped him through it.
"I picked up the injury with the national team on the international break and I came in injured," Kargbo explained on the innocuous nature of his first setback.
"I didn't know I was injured. I thought it was just like that leg.
"I kept on playing and it kept getting worse. We did a scan and found out I was severely injured. That kept me out for a very long time and I tried to come back in and get injured again.
"It's been tough. It's been tough for me, physically and mentally. You just have to have the right people around you.
"I had the right team, the right team-mates, the right physios and the club was very supportive. It was not easy mentally, day-to-day.
"Physio after physio, it was difficult in rehab but it's part of the game sometimes.
"It's not easy but the club and the physios tried their best. Sometimes, things are out of your control and it's nobody's fault."
Kargbo now has a new manager to impress in Tony Mowbray. The Rovers boss is being cautious not to overwork the winger, holding him back from the start for now.
But with lost time to make up for, the 27-year-old is chomping at the bit to play. Mowbray laughed that he'll soon be knocking on his door.
Kargbo likes Mowbray's honest approach to man-management, with little doubt about what is expected.
"One thing I like, one thing I've found very good for me is how honest he is with me," Kargbo said.
"He's been very honest. He knows what he can get from me. He knows what I can give and he's very, very honest about that.
"He's managing my playing time very well. We have conversations and that's really important for me, for my confidence and for me to be able to perform.
"Knowing that this is what he expects from me, this is what he knows I can give to the team."
Despite that, Kargbo feels he is ready. The silver lining of time in the treatment room means he's been in the gym, ensuring his body is as well attuned as possible.
"Sometimes there are some negatives and some positives when you're injured," he detailed.
"The positive thing is I feel stronger than before because I've been in the gym for the whole year. I'm strengthening my muscles.
"I feel really good. I feel better than before physically and that's something that is really helping me right now.
"I feel like I am ready. I reached full training some months ago, so I'm ready. The decision is totally up to him (when to start).
"I'm available whenever the team needs me. I love competition, especially healthy competition; that's what I want.
"It's good for the team and for the objectives that we have. Competition is really good."
Share