Republic of Ireland winger Chedozie Ogbene is back in the Republic of Ireland squard after being sidelined for nine months with an Achilles tendon injury.
Ogbene’s last appearance for the Republic of Ireland came in October 2024.
The 28-year-old sustained the injury when playing for his club at the time Ipswich Town in a 4-3 Premier League defeat against Brentford in October last year.
He was forced to miss the rest of the campaign as the Tractor Boys were relegated but he says the time out helped him to grow as a person and player and he would go through it all again.
“Knowing what I know now, if I go back nine months I would rupture my Achilles again, I am a lot wiser now, there was a lot of knowledge I acquired being injured.
“I spoke to John Egan and Gavin Bazunu, who had previous Achilles [injuries]. I spoke to them about their journeys so I made sure I put those things in my rehab early, and I had a very smooth and successful rehab.
“I’m a different person, I don’t fear many things now and I’m a lot more grateful,” he said.
Ogbene, who has since made the switch to fellow Championship side Sheffield United, said he spent a lot of hours getting to know his body and watching clips to help him return physically and tactically sharper for pre-season this summer.
“I’m so glad it has paid off I had a wonderful pre-season and my body has felt as fit and strong as it has ever been so I am excited.
“Watching a lot of football for nine months, you learn a lot more. When you’re immersed in it it is 100 miles an hour and the stuff the manager says you don’t really understand but when you’re out of it and watching from the side it’s a really good education,” he explained.
Ogbene, who made a 66 munites return in the 2-2 draw with Hungary, hoped to add to his 25 caps for the Republic of Ireland in this international window as they begin their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Ireland travelled to face Armenia on Tuesday, after hosting Hungary on Saturday in Dublin.
