Mulgrew to kick-start Blues title bid
JAMIE Mulgrew is hoping he can help kick-start Linfield's title drive after returning from an agonising hamstring injury.
The 22-year-old suffered the setback during a County Antrim Shield semi-final victory over Crusaders at The Oval back in September.
The tenacious midfielder admits it was the "most painful injury" he has encountered during his footballing career, with a five-week spell on the sidelines compounding his misery.
And with the Blues enduring a well-documented four-game losing streak during his absence, Mulgrew's frustration was near to boiling point.
But having enjoyed a 25-minute cameo appearance in Tuesday's County Antrim Shield final – and a full game for the reserves on Wednesday night – the bulldog midfielder is itching for another outing this afternoon against Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park.
"I think any player who suffers an injury and has to sit on the sidelines will be frustrated. I don't think I am any different," he said.
"The losing streak was obviously disappointing, but we are in this together and we will get through it together. It doesn't matter if you are playing or if you are on the bench or injured. We are in this together.
"We have been a successful club for so long, so our recent run has left some people shocked. But the confidence is in the squad and we are ready to bounce back again."
Mulgrew's return is a timely boost for manager David Jeffrey who has been jinxed by a relentless injury list that has plagued Linfield's season.
Big-name absentees have included Northern Ireland international Michael Gault, experienced midfielder Oran Kearney and defender Jim Ervin.
It has been a rebuilding process for the Blues, who can boast only one victory in their last seven competitive outings – courtesy of a 4-0 Premiership win over Cliftonville.
There have been five defeats during that spell – to Derry City (Setanta Cup), Ballymena United and Lisburn Distillery (both Premiership), Dungannon Swifts (Co-Operative Insurance Cup) and Cliftonville (County Antrim Shield final) – as well as last Saturday's draw at Newry City.
It has been an uncharacteristic barren spell for last season's treble winners, but Mulgrew isn't pressing any panic alarms just yet.
"This is a new challenge for Linfield Football Club, but it's a test that everyone is relishing," he said.
"We will have to dig deep this season because the Premiership has become totally unpredictable. Teams are taking points off each other, and teams are improving all the time. Just look at Crusaders, Distillery and Coleraine for starters.
"Also Glentoran are right up there as usual, and even Bangor are upsetting the odds.
"So we will have to raise our game in the weeks ahead. We are right up there in the title race despite what people have said."
Looking ahead to today's showdown with Dungannon's senior side, Mulgrew warned any fans predicting a landslide win for the champions.
"The last time Dungannon played at Windsor Park they beat us 3-0 in the Co-Operative Insurance Cup. So they will fancy their chances again,” the midfielder said.
“This time there will be three Premiership points up for grabs and the league is our main aim.”
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Weather for Belfast
Wednesday 15 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
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