Stephens ready and refreshed

DALE Stephens believes his spell on the sidelines has been of personal benefit.

Though Athletic struggled without their vice-captain, main playmaker and 10-goal top scorer when he was out of the side for three games, the 21-year-old was able to work hard on boosting fitness levels ahead of the end-of-season run-in.

After a quiet return against Peterborough three fixtures ago, Stephens’ superb 25-yard strike against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday showed that the ex-Bury player is back to his best.

He reckons he would even have had two goals on the night, if it weren’t for a well-struck volley hitting Oumare Tounkara as it appeared to be arrowing towards the net.

“I think it was two-and-a-half weeks I was off in all, but I managed to get through it,” said Stephens of his illness, which was at first erroneously thought to be mumps.

“I feel that I came back stronger after training with Buts (Paul Butler, head of sports science). It was almost like a mini pre-season for me.

“I only trained for one day with the team before the Peterborough game. So it was difficult, but I got through it alright.

“I was was delighted with the goal I scored against Wednesday, but it was overshadowed by the disappointing result, really. I would rather have taken the three points.

“On my other shot, I said after the game that Oumare didn’t even flinch when it hit him!

“There was only the goalkeeper behind him and it looked as if it was going in.”

Sam Mantom and Dean Furman took on set-piece responsibilities while Stephens was out of the side.

Now he is back, Stephens is aiming to inflict some long-awaited dead-ball pain on the opposition, starting at Leyton Orient tomorrow.

“This week, we have mixed it up a little bit and have worked on a few different set pieces,” Stephens revealed.

“Hopefully, it will result in a goal.”