Pugh: I'm excited to be back and want to kick on again

Midfielder Tom Pugh gave his reaction to Iron Player after completing his return to United until the end of the season.

Pugh made 24 appearances in League Two for the Iron last season, alongside another four appearances in various cup competitions.

Speaking to Iron Player, he began by saying: “It’s nice to see all the lads around, and a few familiar faces, but I’m so excited that I’m back here and ready to kick on again.”

After being released in the summer, Pugh admitted emotions were high in what has been a rollercoaster past few months: “I was devastated that I went,” he began.

“I thought I gave it my all last year and deserved to get a contract but that’s sometimes how football works.

“I’m back here now though, back in the ground, know everyone here, and can’t wait to get back on that pitch and show the fans what I can do.”

The versatile midfielder spent the summer recovering from an injury as well as trialling at various clubs, including Leyton Orient, and then most recently signing for Scarborough Athletic on a non-contract basis.

Speaking on his summer of uncertainty, he said: “It was a rollercoaster, I can only say that.

“Some days you can be drained and then some days you think everything is working out but it can always change within days, but I’m back here and so happy to be back."

Pugh has spent the past couple of weeks training with the Iron alongside playing for Scarborough Athletic.

“The first day was class,” he explained.

“There were a few faces who weren’t expecting me to back and then I popped up. It has been nice to be back.

“I know everyone, I’m close with everyone. It’s the bond that I’ve kept by keeping in touch with them and to come back has boosted them as well as it has me.”

Pugh saw an undeserving red card in his final Iron game of the 2021-22 season away at Spalding United in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup, which in the process saw the 21-year-old injured for a substantial period.

Discussing his recovery since that game, he revealed: “It’s been fine, it took four months to get over the injury, but I’ve had no problems with it whatsoever and now I’m back fully fit."

Speaking on interim manager Tony Daws, who he knows well from previous experience in the Iron's academy, he said: “He was my academy manager and the person who gave me my first professional contract.

“Tony has spoke to me about how he likes my energy, likes that I can put a tackle in and can get up and down the pitch. He’s seen that himself which is why he brought me back.

Looking ahead to being in contention for Dorking Wanderers at home on Saturday, he finished by saying: “I’m fully fit now, I played 90 minutes last Saturday for Scarborough there so it’s up to Tony to decide that.”

Hear more from Tom Pugh on Iron Player.