Lewington spoke to the press and talked them through his ‘frustrating’ hamstring injury before looking ahead to Saturday’s Stadium MK clash against Morecambe.
Prior to Skipp’s preview versus the Shrimpers, the Captain spoke about his recent return from his first long-term injury within his 11-year career as a senior footballer.
On his hamstring injury
“It’s the longest by a long way.” The number three said on his time away from the field.
“It was really difficult. The first three-weeks, I was at home in a brace, so it was really limiting. Since then, it has been quite frustrating. It was slow progress to begin with, though the medical team were great and quite early on, I was ahead of schedule.
“Once I knew I was ahead, it was then a battle with myself to get back as quickly as I could. It was my focus, and I got back significantly quicker than I should be.”
Questioned on what he was like whilst out of the game, Lewington replied “I’m a frustrated injured player! Very quickly, you can become a frustrated watcher sometimes, and it’s not easy when you know you want to be out here, but there’s nothing you can do to influence it.”
Once he reflected on his time in the medical room, the defender then explained his return to the field. “It’s nice to be back, to go out there, put myself on the line and do my bit.
“My leg has felt good from the start, it has just been down to fitness. It was a calculated risk (Coming back for the Cambridge United game), because I felt good, and because Zak was suspended, it was a needs-must too.
“It has held up well, I’ve got two games and two weeks of training in me now so I’m nearly up to speed.”
On being a captain from the side-lines
Since fulfilling the role as club captain from 2008, this has been a unique instance for Dean Lewington, who has had to attempt to influence the squad from a ‘hard’ position on the side for the previous three months.
When asked about the difference in leading the side whilst not on the field, Skipp had this to say “As someone who wants to say something, it’s hard from the side because the criticism from the outside is different than when it’s from the inside.
“As much as I wanted to support and help people, I felt I couldn’t criticise too much because I wasn’t out there myself. So, it’s been nice to be back, even in training, to start snapping at people and pushing them in the right direction. It’s easier to lead on the pitch than it is from the side-lines.
“The team was crying out for leadership and a steady head. Sometimes it’s not about what I can do as a player, but what I can do for other people, and if that helps make them five per cent better, it boosts the team too.”
Finally, on his injury, the longest-serving MK Dons player was asked about what he had learned about himself during his time out, Lewington jokingly replied “In terms of what I’ve learned about myself: I don’t like being injured, but I knew that already!”
On the Stadium MK clash against Morecambe
Once he finalised the details of his recovery, Dean Lewington then looked ahead to what could be a crucial game against Morecambe at Stadium MK as Mark Jackson’s men look to sustain their position above the bottom four of the league table.
“It’s another massive game on Saturday. We all know what’s at stake, so we go into it in the best possible way.
“You can’t look too far ahead, but we’ve seen if you do the right things more often than not, they all add up and hopefully it’s enough to get you the three points.”
On his time with Mark Jackson
Prior to his set-back, Dean Lewington had a stint at the helm of MK Dons whilst he took interim care of the team just before the Christmas period. During which, he was awarded with a Sky Bet League One Manager of the Week nomination for leading the Dons to a 2-0 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
Shortly after Lewington received surgery for his injury, Mark Jackson was appointed as the new Head Coach at Stadium MK and has currently ascended the side above the drop zone with a total of 18 points accumulated during his time in charge.
As he came back to the training field not too long ago, the number three was asked about his time working with Jackson, he replied “It has been really positive.
“When I was injured, we spoke quite a bit, but it’s nice being out there and seeing how he works. It’s easier to see what a manager wants when you’re out there doing it.
“I’m just trying to help where I can, sending messages, being vocal in training. I’ve been impressed with Mark (Jackson) and Robbie (Stockdale), so it has been a good couple of weeks.”
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Dean Lewington and MK Dons welcome the Shrimpers to Milton Keynes on Saturday 25 March, looking to complete a league double over the Lancashire side and keep themselves above the bottom four in Sky Bet League One. Kick-off is at 3pm.
Tickets are now priced at £26 adults, £20 over-65s, £14 under-25s and £8 under-18s while under-12s and under-7s tickets cost £5 due to a matchday price increase. Upgrades are available to East Centre and Club Red.
To book tickets CLICK HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 01908 622933. Tickets will be available to buy right up until kick-off from the Box Office.
