Alex Scott, gym & no doubts: Bristol City star reveals all on injury recovery

Tommy Conway has expressed his gratitude to Bristol City’s staff and players after supporting him through his lengthy spell out with injury.

Conway missed three months of action after suffering a hamstring tendon injury against Swansea City in the FA Cup in early January. The Scotland Under-21 international had a brilliant start to the campaign, winning the Player of the Month award for August, and had scored nine goals before an injury put a stop to his breakout season.

The 20-year-old made a scoring return last Saturday, scoring the opening goal against Reading in the 1-1 draw at Ashton Gate. George Tanner’s first-time pass wasn’t cleared by the Royals defence and Conway was on hand to slot it past former Bristol Rovers loanee Joe Lumley.

Conway wheeled away in celebration and celebrated in front of the Lower Lansdown Stand, before being swamped by his teammates. His peers supported him through his time out of the side, and he has now revealed his thoughts and how he worked hard to get back.

“I spoke to all the boys and they have been really good,” said Conway. I got injured last year and it didn’t really feel the same because I hadn’t had a sniff of first-team football. I think with the start I made this year and the amount of games I’ve played I think it hit me even more and made me miss it even more.

“Being in the gym every day I had that hunger. When I came back on that pitch I didn’t want to have any questions about whether I didn’t do this right or anything. I pride myself every day and I like to think it has paid off for me in my performance.

He added: “Hopefully I can keep building on this now and my fitness and hopefully scoring more goals. “For me, all I want to do is score goals. To get one on my first game back, I couldn’t put it any better.

“I just wanted to get the three points and we haven’t been able to do that. I can score, but if it doesn’t help the team win, then it kind of puts me in the mood where I want to keep winning.”

Conway has had support from a good place, especially at home where he lives with his teammate Alex Scott. The Taunton-born forward supports Arsenal, whilst Scott supports their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, and despite the rivalry between those two clubs, Conway and Scott are the best of friends.

In Conway’s absence, Scott earned rave reviews before and after the FA Cup clash with Manchester City, but amidst all the hype around him, he was still able to lend support to his housemate. Conway could not share the same pitch as Scott, as unfortunately the teenager has an injury of his own, which will keep him out for an unspecified period. He has however thanked Scott, and has said he will support the 19-year-old through his period of recovery, no matter how long that may be.

“It’s my turn now to repay the favour,” he said. Alex has been brilliant, I’ve been able to speak to him and you all know that we live together. He’s been there to listen to me when I’ve had a down day and I’ve been there for him when he’s been doing really well since I’ve been out injured. I think he’s buzzing for me.”

The task for Conway now will be to score as many goals as he can, in a campaign he can already regard as a success. He is one behind Nahki Wells in the top scorer charts, and there are eight matches left for it to be decided.

Wells was a supportive figure to Conway last season when he dropped down to the Under-21’s after falling out of favour, but now the two are certified first-team players and in direct competition. It is a friendly rivalry that could benefit the side, as the more goals scored increases the likelihood of a positive result.

“The gaffer said to me at half-time, how many are you behind Nahki now? It’s in my mind, but I don’t think that is the be-all and end-all. As long as we keep winning games and I can score on the way, it’ll help. If I do end up as top scorer I’ll be equally as buzzing.

“We joke about it, when the gaffer said that to me Nahki overheard it. I can extend it today as well, but it’s good competition. If we’re both scoring the team is going to be doing well. It’s what we need.”