Butcher's back for the run in

By Nathan Jackson
April 6 2004

Richard Butcher has revealed that he is relieved that his injury problems finally appear over and his first taste of football in more than 2 mores came last Saturday in the 3-0 win over Rochdale.

Speaking to the Lincolnshire Echo, Butcher revealed that he was suprised to be involved in the squad last Saturday.

"I was surprised to be involved at Rochdale because I only returned to training on Thursday," revealed Butcher. "I felt no reaction to the injury on Thursday or Friday, but I still didn't think I would be in the 16 which travelled to Rochdale.

Butcher has scored the vast majority of City's long range shots this season with only 1 of his 6 goals coming from inside the box. However, the popular midfielder knows that getting his regular first team place back won't be easy.

"There is a lot of competition for midfield places and I thought Sedge was outstanding at Rochdale, so we have players in good form. But I'm just pleased to be back. It was nice to be involved with all the high fives at the end of the Rochdale game."

Butcher is expected to be named as a substitute in both games over the weekend although could possibly start against Northampton as Kevin Ellison's loan spell is up after the Swansea game and it would be the ultimate game for him to make his first start since the win at Doncaster.

"I'm from the Northampton area and I've got a lot of family and friends going to Sixfields on Monday, so hopefully I can be in the side for that. That game was my original comeback target because it's a fixture which means such a lot to me."

In other news, City have sold out their 1,250 allocation for the game against Northampton next week as City aim to become the first side in 8 games to take any sort of result away from Sixfields, however, as many fans know, the Imps are great at breaking long home unbeaten runs as they ended the longest unbeaten home record in the division (twice) this season against Doncaster and Leyton Orient.