Jordan Rhodes might be nursing a broken metatarsal that has ended his season prematurely but he is celebrating after being named PFA Fans Player of the Month for March.
The
Ipswich striker shone whilst on loan at
Brentford and scored seven goals in 14 appearances for the Bees, which has helped them to the top of the League Two table.
The 18-year-old starlet has also been on loan at
Rochdale this season and added a further two goals to his tally as he announced his arrival on the Football League with a bang.
The son of former Barnsley, Doncaster and Oldham goalkeeper Andy Rhodes, he comes from good footballing stock and bagged his first goal for Ipswich as a 17-year old 12 months ago.
He also shot his way into the record books in January this year when bagging a hat-trick at Shrewsbury he became the youngest player in Brentford’s history to achieve that feat.
Rhodes is now back at Ipswich undergoing rehabilitation in order to ensure he is fighting fit for next season and looking on nervously to see if Brentford can lift the League Two title in his absence.
The Bees are also missing
Charlie Macdonald and
Nathan Elder with injuries so have had to completely revamp their strike force for the run in.
Givemefootball’s Ian Clarkson spoke exclusively to Rhodes about winning the Fans Player of the Month Award and life on loan at Griffin Park.
WERE YOU PLEASED TO WIN THE PFA FANS’ LEAGUE TWO PLAYER OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH?
“I was very pleased to win the award and it was a real boost for me after my injury. It has ruled me out for the season which was a real blow but it was nice to be recongised for my loan spell at Brentford, which I thoroughly enjoyed.”
YOUR GOALSCORING RECORD AT GRIFFIN PARK LOOKS LIKE YOU ENJOYED YOUR TIME THERE?
“It was absolutely brilliant and I loved every minute of it. From the kit man through to the fans who came to watch us train and play all the way through to the players, manager, chief executive and chairman, everyone made me feel really welcome. It is a great club and I have gained so much from my time there.”
CAN THEY STILL GO ON AND WIN THE TITLE WITHOUT YOURSELF, CHARLIE MACDONALD AND NATHAN ELDER WHO ARE ALL NOW INJURED?
“All was going well and then the curse of the strikers struck and everybody suddenly got injured within three or four games. However, the manager has got three more strikers (Sam Williams, Billy Clarke and Damien Spencer) and the squad has got strength in depth. I am sure they will finish as champions and I will be supporting them all the way.”
WHAT ARE YOUR AMBITIONS FOR NEXT SEASON?
“I want to get myself back to where I was before my injury and hopefully that can get me into Ipswich’s first team squad. If not, then I would look to go out on loan again as I have thoroughly enjoyed this experience. However, the first thing I have to do is concentrate on getting myself fit again.”
WHAT IS THE LATEST ON YOUR INJURY?
“I should hopefully be fit within four to six weeks as it isn’t too complicated. It is a broken bone on the top of my foot but the physiotherapist is doing his bit and I am doing my bit. No footballer likes being injured as you want to play so this is the boring bit of rehabilitation but it needs to be done to make sure I am ready to go for next season.”
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