South Shields goalkeeper lauded after return from injury nightmare
Jasper Sheik has returned to the South Shields starting eleven as the Mariners push for the National League North title.
South Shields goalkeeper Jasper Sheik has been praised for the impact he has made since returning from a serious shoulder injury that hampered his positive introduction to life at the 1st Cloud Arena.
The former Crawley Town stopper was one of several summer signings that caught the eye during the early months of their time with the Mariners and played a leading role in laying the foundations for a push for the National League North title and promotion into non-league football’s top tier. However, Sheik picked up a serious shoulder injury during a 1-1 home draw with King’s Lynn Town in November that forced him to undergo an operation that left him on the sidelines for the following four months.
After returning to the substitutes’ bench for a 1-1 draw at Chorley last month, Sheik made his long-awaited return by coming off the bench in a Good Friday draw at Spennymoor Town before returning to the starting eleven for last week’s home defeat against Darlington and the weekend win at Radcliffe.
Mariners boss Ian Watson has been delighted with Sheik’s attitude and bravery over the last fortnight and believes the young keeper is delivering ‘everything he wants from him’.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s home clash with Macclesfield, Watson told The Gazette: “Everyone knows how good Jasper was before he got injured and the impact he made at the football club. I think he was a real fans’ favourite, the fans really took to him and enjoyed how brave he was and how he is as a person. He’s one of the most professional players I’ve come across because he does everything perfectly. Even after Saturday’s game he wanted to see the goals he conceded, he wanted to see where he could have done better and he’s just amazing.
“The angle we were all looking at was would he come back and be cautious with his shoulder - but he’s just the same old Jasper. He comes and collects everything, he’s so brave, he spreads himself really well and he’s brave on the ball and that’s exactly what we want from him.”
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