Doncaster RLFC: Brandan Wilkinson looking to repay faith after recovering from knee injury

Young Doncaster forward Brandan Wilkinson can’t wait for the chance repay the club’s faith in him.
Brandan WilkinsonBrandan Wilkinson
Brandan Wilkinson

The 21 year-old loose-forward hasn’t played since suffering a serious knee injury in the League One clash against Workington Town at Derwent Park last June.

But following a knee reconstruction operation and months of rehab Wilkinson is on course to be back playing in the near future.

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“I’ve been having treatment at the club and also doing extra work on my own,” said the former Bradford prospect, who is full of praise for the way the club have supported him.

“The club have been amazing and they have looked after me really well.

“As soon as it happened CEO Carl Hall and head coach Richard Horne said I didn’t need to worry about anything.

“They said they would sort the operation out and get me back walking and back training then we’d talk about the 2019 season and what their plans were.

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“It was a massive physiological boost when they offered me a contract for this season during the winter.

“It showed that they like what I do and they believe in me and I’m determined to repay their faith when I get back playing again.

“I remember the disappointment of losing in last season’s play-off semi-final and I want to try and play my part in trying to get us up this year.

“Despite the defeat at Keighley we believe in ourselves and if we stick to our game plan and cut out the unforced errors then we feel that we can beat any team in this division.

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“We were confident going into last season’s play-offs that we would be competitive in the Championship with a few additions if we were to be promoted and I think by beating Batley in the Challenge Cup that we were right to believe that.”

The Dons go into Sunday’s league game against a side who will be buoyed by their 70-8 win over West Wales Raiders at the weekend.

“We want to make the Keepmoat a fortress this season and apart from the Hunslet game we are unbeaten at home and we’ll be looking to extend that record against North Wales,” said Wilkinson.

“It’s a game we’ll be expected to win but you can’t take anyone for granted because they all teams offer something different.”

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