Huddersfield Town defender claims he has had a “really tough time” at the club over the last year due to a lack of playing time.
The left-back made only 11 appearances last season, the latest in November, before suffering groin and hernia problems that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Josh Ruffels has struggled to break into the starting XI this season, appearing only four times thus far.
The 31-year-old made a rare appearance in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Leyton Orient, coming on in the second half after Mickel Miller suffered an injury. With first-choice wing-back Miller on the sidelines, Ruffels is keen to seize any opportunity that arises.
“I’ll just touch on Mickel, hopefully his scan results are OK and he’s not out for too long,” Ruffles told HTTV. “On a personal note, make no mistake, it’s been a really challenging time for me over the last year, being injured and trying to get back into the team and stuff. I’m incredibly thrilled to be back in the team and help the lads to three points.
“In football, you must maintain your patience and be professional. It’s been the most difficult test for me in recent months, but I’ve always tried to keep my mentality and approach to business consistent, and it’s paid off. The gaffer trusted me enough to throw me on at halftime, and I’m just delighted I finished the job.
“I’m very excited about the next few weeks.” Football is a fast-changing sport, as seen tonight. I’ve been out of the squad for a long time, and when you suddenly have this opportunity, you must seize it with both hands. I just want to have the correct mindset that I have and continue ahead and be positive.
“It’s been an up and down couple of years, but I’ve always tried to stay positive and look at the broader picture. Opportunities are always around the corner, and they occasionally come when you least expect them. Fortunately, I have this opportunity, which I must seize, and I want to make the most of it.
With their victory at Brisbane Road in midweek, the Terriers extended their unbeaten run in League One to seven matches, leaving Michael Duff’s side in fifth place with 29 points from 16 games played. Town’s next match is against Wigan Athletic on Tuesday at the John Smith’s Stadium, the first of seven in all competitions until the end of the year.
Ruffels was happy with his team’s last victory and believes that their next hectic schedule will provide an opportunity to move up the table even further. Reflecting on Orient’s victory, the left-back stated: “It’s a big result. Going away and having a result and a clean sheet is enormous, so we’re very happy.
“We could have made it easier, or slightly more tough, but Callum (Marshall) and his work rate sealed the deal in the end, and we’re very pleased. It’s a routine week for us (before of the Wigan game), with plenty of training and hard effort.
“I’ve always like the Christmas season; I believe it’s a wonderful opportunity to go up the league with a lot of games, and if you do well at that time, it really propels you into a high position in the league. “We are looking forward to it.”
