Fit-again Aaron aims to find golden touch

GROUNDED . . . Aaron Amadi-Holloway gets treatment before going off after 19 minutes against Coventry City

AARON Amadi-Holloway has had to absorb plenty of blows over the past 12 months - but all that's missing now as he makes up for lost time is goals.

The striker has come in for some heavy treatment since his return to the club, hobbling off at Chesterfield and then suffering a pair of whacks early in the Coventry game.

The 24-year-old is still smiling, though, as he bids to make up for a rotten time of it personally at Fleetwood Town.

His hold-up play has proven a boon for Athletic in his second spell working with John Sheridan, this time on a permanent basis after his switch from the Highbury Stadium on a two-and-a-half-year contract in exchange for an undisclosed fee.

And after shaking off a painful knee injury sustained against the Sky Blues, he is aiming to find the target for the first time this term against Swindon tomorrow.

"It is fine and was nothing serious, just bruising and swelling," said the ex-Wycombe player. "I trained again yesterday so it should be fine for Swindon.

"I have had a few knocks and the other day, it was two in 10 seconds. I was caught on one knee, got up to run it off and the next thing I knew, it was the other knee. It happens. Every game I go home and can't walk!

"But I am really enjoying it here. I'm glad to get in the minutes straight away, which is what I have needed.

"What is frustrating is that I need to get the goals now. It's deja vu from last season."

Last term, Amadi-Holloway's overall impact in turning the club's fortunes around was greater than the weight of his two goals scored in 10 outings, both in a losing cause against Rochdale.

SUMMER

That led to an end-of-season summer move from Wycombe to Fleetwood, but it was a switch that turned sour when Steven Pressley resigned two months later.

In came Uwe Rosler and the striker puts the change of managerial philosophy down as a major factor over why the transfer didn't work out.

"The new manager there had a different way of playing and didn't really need me," he added. "It was a real pain for me, but it was working for them, so I can't really say anything about it.

"It had been exciting times - then it was a pie in the face, basically.

"Originally, there was the thought of going out on loan if I could for the rest of the season. And then, it eventually turned into a permanent move here.

"I think that will benefit me more in any case. I have to catch up now from the six months I have lost."

Sheridan's no-nonsense approach is one appreciated by Amadi-Holloway.

"He helps me and there is no messing around," he said. "He tells you straight. If you played rubbish, he will tell you that you played rubbish. I do like that."

Amadi-Holloway was an unused substitute for Fleetwood in their 1-1 draw at Swindon in December and on a big pitch at the County Ground, doesn't see anything that Athletic should worry about.

And when back on home soil against Millwall a week later, he reckons even the men from The Den might not fancy the conditions much.

"Every game is going to be completely different to the ones at home, where the pitch plays a massive part in the way we play," he said.

"I believe it helps us.

"I believe it will play a massive role in us staying up, to be honest."