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The 26-year-old suffered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury in February just as he was starting to hit form for his new club.
St. Mirren’s prolific Kenyan number seven Jonah Ayunga has revealed an unshakable resolve in the face of the club's recent signing of French striker Mikael Mandron for the upcoming 2023/2024 Scottish Premiership season.
A product of Brighton's esteemed academy, Ayunga's trajectory at St. Mirren was temporarily derailed in February when he fell victim to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, just as he was hitting his stride. His impactful performances, marked by crucial goals against Celtic and Rangers, had made him an indispensable asset to the team.
Despite the setback, Ayunga remains unfazed by the prospect of competition posed by the arrival of Mikael Mandron. With his ACL recovery progressing steadfastly, Ayunga's determination to regain his peak form and continue his scoring spree remains resolute.
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17:32 - 15.08.2023
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Richard Odada has struggled for regular playing time in America after not being included in the club’s MLS roster due to a limit on the number of foreigners allowed to play in the league.
The English-born striker says that coach Steve Robinson has stuck by him throughout, giving him his unwavering support during his rehabilitation process.
“There is always that but that is the same every season. He has been good with me, the gaffer, so, I know when I get back, he is going to be pushing me back to getting where I was before,” Ayunga told Sky Sports.
“Even when I am declared fully fit, I know it will take time to get back to where I was but I feel when I get that, I will be happy.”
Ayunga has experienced the pain of undergoing a serious injury before, as he suffered from a tibia and ankle injury at 18 when still a Brighton player which ruled him out for an extended period of time.
He has chosen to look at the optimistic side of the misfortune.
“I broke my tibia and dislocated my ankle when I was about 18 which took me ten months to fully recover, similar to this.
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08:08 - 18.07.2023
STARS ABROAD Former Brighton striker hoping to help Kenya qualify for the World Cup
The striker was called up by Harambee Stars in August 2018 but is yet to make his debut for the side.
“It has been helpful to be honest because once you get the news that you are going to be out for that sort of period, I know I have been there before and it is just a ticking off of each process knowing you will be back where you were before.”
The 26-year-old had revealed that he has mostly been consigned to gym work while other players are out on the grass during rehabilitation, but has now began grasswork.
“You are occupied in the gym to be fair. Even before you can start working on the knee, there is maintaining your upper body, upper legs parts and trying to do some cardio.
“When I come in, I have a full sheet of A4 exercises to get on with.
“I do not want to get back in too top heavy because I already know I will be quite heavy on my feet to begin with when I come back. It is more about core strength and maintaining good physio and cardiovascular levels.”
St. Miren are currently second in the league on six points after two matches played. Ayunga has been closely following proceedings in training and in matches, something he was not doing so much during the winter periods after injury.
“I have been watching a lot of training to be fair, not when it was tipping down and icy last season, but now I try to watch as much as I can and keep an eye on training.”
Ayunga has already stated that he wishes to help Kenya qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
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07:20 - 26.07.2023
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The winger joined the side from Hannover 96 back in July 2022.
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