Interview taken from 225 of HeedLines, sold at the Vanarama National League fixture against Solihull Moors on Tuesday, March 5.
It has been over three months since Greg Olley last walked out in a Gateshead shirt.
The midfielder sustained the longest injury of his Heed career back in November, sustaining partial tears to his ACL and meniscus in a fifty-fifty challenge against Southend United.
The months since then have been eventful to say the least, with Olley’s team-mates battling their way into the National League play-off places as well as reaching the Isuzu FA Trophy quarter final in his stead.
Now though, the club’s captain can see his long-awaited return on the horizon.
“The rehab has ramped up over the last couple of weeks,” said Olley.
“I’ve been doing a lot more on my feet and on the pitch, so it has been nice to have the ball back at my feet again.
“It hasn’t been a really long three months, or hasn’t felt like it, but it’s obviously not ideal when you’re just chomping at the bit to be back, especially when the lads are doing so well.
“It’s one where you’ve got to be really careful with it being on my right knee. I’ve done it before and I know how bad they can be, and the extent that it can be a lot worse if you do rush back.
“I’ve put my trust in Frazer and that has worked really well so far – we’re definitely on target for where we thought we’d be.
“Since I’ve been doing rehab with Tinks and Tommy for the last few months and seeing them get close to playing, it does make you want to rush back, but we’ve both been pretty careful with the target.”
Though far from ideal from a squad perspective, Frazer Bell’s increasingly busy physio room deep inside Gateshead International Stadium has offered some solace in companionship to those temporarily housed there.
Robbie Tinkler – injured before Olley back in October – is close to his return alongside Tom Allan, while Connor McBride, Kenton Richardson and Regan Booty have all dropped in with short-term niggles in recent weeks alongside Connor Pani, Oli Thompson and Lewis Knight.
What each of those players share though, is the grateful avoidance of solitary rehab sessions.
“It’s definitely easier,” said Olley.
“We can push each other on, especially when we’re just on gym days and not out on the pitch at the start of our rehab.
“It’s quite tough mentally when you’re in the gym and everyone else is out training.
“We’ve had a fair amount of injuries in the last few months, so it’s a busy physio room, but it does help when there are people there you can bounce off.”
Although Olley’s playing duties are on temporary hold, some of his obligations as club captain can continue on behind the scenes.
Maintaining appearances is a key part of holding the squad together for the midfielder, though he does admit the rapid turnover of squad members has proved a challenge.
“It’s fairly tough, because I’m not training and seeing how the new lads are getting on,” he said.
“A lot of new lads have come in whilst I’ve been injured, but you’ve got to get around them and come in with a smile on your face every day – that’s probably the main one – and even things like asking how people are doing and if they’re settling in alright.
“I gave the logistics over to Ed [Francis] for training and he has managed it really well, and the results are showing that.
“Everything is going pretty smoothly, so I just want to get in and around it because the success has been quite obvious to see, especially with how the table is looking at the minute.”
Tuesday’s game was the 18th in all competitions since Olley’s last appearance in November, with the business end of the campaign now fast approaching.
The midfielder has had plenty of opportunities to watch on from the stands – home and away – and though it’s something he still doesn’t enjoy, he’d much prefer to be at every game than sitting at home.
“I keep saying to people who ask me when I’m up there watching that it’s not nice,” he explained.
“You’d rather be out there, and I’m quite competitive as well so it takes its toll.
“I’ve got a bird’s eye view almost, and it’s a different game when you’re down there at head height trying to figure things out on the pitch.
“I do get frustrated watching, so seeing the lads win over the last few weeks has been really good and I hope that continues once I’m back fully fit.
“I’d probably want to go to every single game if I could, it’s so important to be around the squad whenever you can, especially as captain.
“If anyone has problems or needs to chat then I’m not focused on the game, so I can just lend a helping hand in that sense.
“I’m probably a Gateshead fan as well, so I just like being at the games!
“When I’m not there, I go around my Mam and Dad’s house and they buy the stream, so if it’s available there then I’ll watch it while it’s live so I can have that experience of watching and knowing what’s going on.
“It ticks two boxes – seeing the parents and watching the game itself.”
Olley’s team-mates have continued on in fine fashion for much of his absence, and as a result now enter the final two months of the season with all at stake on two fronts.
The Heed are poised to challenge for a top seven finish, which would see the club compete in the fifth-tier play-offs for the first time since 2014, while a second consecutive FA Trophy final appearance is only two wins away with the quarter final next up on Saturday.
Such has been the squad’s success on the pitch, that there is no guarantee that Olley – or any of his fellow returning team-mates – will slot straight back into the starting 11.
“Having the competition there is massive for every single player,” he said.
“Everyone needs that to keep them on our toes to perform well on a Saturday or a Tuesday.
“I’m not expecting to go straight in and start, that’s not going to happen, but I’ll train as well as I can and help the lads who are starting to perform on the pitch.
“I’ll just bide my time, and hopefully when I get my chance I’ll be able to stay in the team.
“There are going to be a lot of games coming, so there needs to be rotation and lads are going to need rests at certain points, especially with the FA Trophy game as well.
“That’s a good one for a couple of the lads coming back to get minutes in, then I might be the week after hopefully, but we’re all in this together as a squad.
“The squad is going to be utilised in the best way Rob sees fit, and I think we’re all ready for the fight.
“The fans at the home games we have left are going to be vital for us to really compete with these teams.
“It’s going to be about results now and picking up points, so in the next few we’ll be targeting to do just that.”
