Jacob Sorensen reflects on Norwich City injury frustration

After a prolonged period sidelined with a pelvic injury that has included two surgeries, the Danish international made his long-awaited comeback in the Canaries' 3-1 victory over Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium on Wednesday night.

Sorensen has spent the last few weeks building up his fitness reserves with the under-21s and getting back into the rhythm of training consistently but is now in a position to be considered by David Wagner for their Championship play-off charge. 

With the temperature below freezing and the pitch condition worsening as the game wore on - it was a night for professionalism and digging deep, but after months of watching his colleagues depart to matches, Sorensen was overjoyed to be back in the thick of the action. 

"It was nice to be back. I've done a lot of rehab, and I thought I was fit, but then I needed another surgery again," Sorensen said. 

"This was the first time playing 90 minutes in a senior game for me - I have done it with the under-21s so I'm really happy. Being with the boys and training with them (has been good). Travelling with the boys, I've missed it.

"There has been quite a few times where they've left for the flight or the coach and I've gone on the way home to sit in my apartment. It's nice to get involved again. That is what you're looking forward to.

"I knew it a few days ago and then it's about putting the right things in your backpack, I almost couldn't remember what to bring, but I got it right."

Jacob Sorensen suffered his injury during Norwich City's pre-season campaign. (Image: Adam Harvey)

Injuries are an inevitable but difficult reality for footballers - battling to come back can be isolating and enduring periods. 

Those periods are made harder when prolonged through setbacks, something Sorensen has also been forced to get his head around. He has had a watching brief during Norwich's struggles and inconsistency this term, helpless to effect matters on the pitch. 

Sorensen has been on the treatment table more than most during his three and a half years at Carrow Road and expressed his gratitude to those colleagues who have been by his side throughout his recovery process. 

"It's tough sometimes," the Dane admitted. "You have to keep working hard. I am still a young player. I had to work hard to get my body right and then you work from there.

"We had some good times - Grant (Hanley) and Josh (Sargent) have also been out, Barnesy as well - it's been a good environment at the training ground and I love to go there everyday to work.

"I feel like I'm close (to full fitness). It's difficult to say. I feel fit and worked hard in my rehab, I'm feeling fit."

If Sorensen was hoping for a gentle reintroduction into senior football after a lengthy lay off - this was anything but. 

He started alongside Kenny McLean in midfield but ended up dropping back into defence to cover after Danny Batth limped out of the contest with a suspected hamstring injury. 

Jacob Sorensen has had a watching brief at Norwich City this season. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

That left Sorensen with a direct battle with ex-Norwich striker Chris Martin, who relishes the physical encounter. Speaking post-match in baltic conditions at the Memorial Stadium, he had a scratch on his neck and blood on his ear. 

But he was still smiling. Even amidst another positional change mid-game that prevented him from operating in his preferred defensive midfield role. 

"I've said it a few times before, but I don't mind where I'm playing. I'm going to work hard and give everything and then it's up to the manager to put me where he thinks I can contribute. As long as I'm playing then I'm happy.

"He (Chris Martin) is a tough guy but that is what you expect in an FA Cup game against a League One side so it's fine," he said.

"There are some big games coming up - both West Brom and Leeds are above us in the table so that's a game that we need to win if we want to get into the play-offs. I'm looking forward to it and it's exciting times. We are in a good place right now."