Why Ryan Hedges is taking a 'cautious' approach to recovery

Ryan Hedges can’t wait to be back playing regularly – but understands why he needs to take a “cautious” approach to his recovery.

The Rovers winger only featured 18 times last season following a couple of frustrating hamstring injuries.

Hedges made his initial return in February but suffered a recurrence of the problem during a goalless draw against Southampton a couple of months later.

This time around, the Welshman has the benefit of pre-season fixtures to ease his way back into the swing of things.

“I want to play every minute of every game so it is really hard to say, ‘I am not fit’ or, ‘I don’t want to play this game’. At the end of the day, you want to give everything for the team and for yourself,” he told RoversTV.

“It will probably be managing expectations and knowing I won’t play every minute this season while I am still in the early stages of coming back.

“I want to stay fully fit for the season, give my all and be called upon for as many games as I can.

“With it happening twice, this time we have been really cautious with it. We have taken our time and not rushed back.

“In January, the team wasn’t doing so well so you push yourself that bit more, whereas now I knew I had 16, 18 weeks until August 9.”

Hedges is aiming to be ready for the Championship opener against Derby as Rovers look to hit the ground running and build on their performances at the back end of last term.

It could prove to be a tricky fixture against the Rams, who will be full of confidence following promotion from League One under Paul Warne.

“That will be the long term plan for pre-season, to make sure I can get to that first game ready and raring to go like everyone,” the winger continued.

“There will probably be a few pre-season games I don’t feature in but that will be for my benefit.”