Royals forward on returning to action & kickstarting FA Cup campaign with a bang
After a prolonged absence due to injury, Wellings discusses her emotions following this setback and expresses her eagerness and excitement to return to the pitch and start scoring goals again.
“Obviously, I was very disappointed not being able to get out on the pitch, picking up two different injuries one after another; it’s been a struggle, to be honest.
“I’m just so happy to be back now, and hopefully, I will be able to get some more minutes on the weekend and kick on for the season.
“It’s tough being injured, but when you have the girls around you all the time helping you out, then it helps you stay positive. They always checked in on me, and I think having a group that does that is massive for us players to help get us through difficult times."
Injuries have left the squad thin in certain areas on the pitch, with the forward position being one of those. Wellings hopes her return from injury will help bolster the squad’s attacking prowess in games to come.
“As a forward, you always want to be scoring goals, and even more so as a player; you just want to be out there playing. It’s been tough watching from the sidelines and not being involved.
“We have been creating a lot of good chances, which is always a positive, and that’s something I need to make sure I am looking at and seeing where I can get involved and hopefully finish off some of these chances.
“It’s all about working on that end product and instilling that striker’s mindset that will help the team score some really important goals.”
With just three fixtures remaining in 2023, Wellings remains focused on the tasks at hand and looks forward to getting some crucial minutes under her belt.
“I came on for 15 minutes or so before the international break [against Watford], which came at the perfect time for me really because it's allowed me to build up fitness, and I’m just really looking forward to our next few games.
“Cheltenham will be a tough opposition; of course, it would be nice to score some goals, but we certainly cannot underestimate them.
“They will be up for a massive fight against us; we know that often in the lower leagues, the teams bring a really physical battle to their games, so it’s important we get some goals and hopefully come away with the win.”
Wellings remains hopeful of positive results as we enter the New Year, aiming to build up momentum and reignite that winning feeling in the team.
“Confidence can play such a big part in football, and regaining it is massive for us.
“Whether it’s a friendly, cup, or a league match, you need to get the wins so that you go into the next game with momentum, and then you approach every single game with that confidence and self-belief, and that’s the mindset we must have.”