Osborne nearing end of ‘long and frustrating’ road to recovery

Alan Connell’s team travels the Yellows’ training ground on Saturday morning to take on United in the EFL Youth Alliance (11am kick-off).

In recent weeks the Cherries have seen Remy Rees-Dottin, Kian Tydeman and Daniel Adu-Adjei return to boost an injury-hit squad.

First-year scholar Osborne is expected to be another boost for Connell in Oxfordshire as the midfielder firmly has his crosshairs set on a return.

He told afcb.co.uk: “Getting minutes is what I want because it’s been so long but as long as we get the three points, that’s all that really matters.

“Oxford have always been a tough, physical side but we won 2-0 when we played them earlier in the season and we dealt with their physicality well.

“Hopefully, we can do that again on Saturday and get another three points because they’ll be important.”

With nearing two months on the sidelines for Osborne, the road to recovery has felt like a long one.

Throughout his return to fitness the midfielder has found that a positive attitude has served him well.

“I strained my calf,” Osborne explained. “Which isn’t too bad when you look at some of the other injuries in the squad, so I have to keep my head up and go again.”

He added: “It’s been long and frustrating, but I’ve just been doing what the physios have been telling me to do.

“I’ve been doing everything I can to get back to fitness as soon as possible.”

Throughout the campaign so far, many of the under-18s players have attested to a family atmosphere amongst the squad.

Osborne was on the receiving end of that atmosphere while in recovery, which provided a welcome boost during his time on the sidelines.

He said: “All of the lads are so positive and if you’re injured, they’re always asking questions about when you’re back and how you’re feeling.

“I think the family feel around the whole squad and the coaches is great because it’s always positive, there’s never that much negativity around.

“We’re always here for each other.”

With the under-18s having been drawn at home to Liverpool in the third round of the FA Youth Cup, the midfielder’s return is well timed for involvement in the illustrious competition next month.

“I was on the bench in the FA Youth Cup last season and it was a great experience,” Osborne said.

“Obviously, I want to start in the FA Youth Cup but I know that might not be realistic so, hopefully, to get any minutes would be great.

“It’s such a big competition for our age and we get to play at the stadium and have an atmosphere, it’s great.”