Needham Market midfielder Byron Lawrence looks to make every minute count as Marketmen reportedly close in on Ipswich Town forward

Needham Market’s Byron Lawrence admitted he is going to ‘try and enjoy every minute’ of his career as he returned to the pitch in recent weeks after more than two years out with a horrific double leg break injury – writes Drew Kendall.

The Marketmen midfielder made his come back in Needham’s 3-2 away Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup wins at Long Melford at the start of this month, playing the first half, and then featured for 65 minutes in their 7-0 thrashing of Stowmarket Town at Bloomfields in the Premier Cup quarter-final last Tuesday.

Lawrence said: “It's been frustrating at times, full of ups and downs, especially when I wasn’t sure if I would make it back onto the pitch again. But that makes me proud of myself that I’ve got to this point. So I’m going to try and enjoy every minute I get to play because it can easily be taken away.

“It’s been a long process getting back to football and I still need to manage my ankle moving forward. But I’ve loved playing again, I've missed it a lot these last two years.

“Kevin’s (Horlock) been great with me throughout my injury and I know how pleased he was to see me back on the pitch. Jenks and Bex (Needham physios) have been really helpful through every step.

“I’ve had incredible support from so many people willing me to get back on the pitch.”

The Marketmen currently sit second in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central and were not in action at the weekend.

They have had 10 days to prepare for their next test which comes in the form of hosting 13th-placed Bromsgrove Sporting tomorrow (3pm).

Meanwhile at Bloomfields, Needham Market are close to completing the signing of 18-year-old Ipswich Town youngster Nico Valentine on loan, after he signed his first professional contract with the Blues in October last year – according to TWTD

Elsewhere, former Marketmen player Taylor Clark made his first start for Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday as the Chairboys’ won 1-0 in The Bristol Street Motors Trophy on Saturday at home to Wimbledon.