A puncher's chance

Hi everyone.

It's been a good week, despite still being injured.

The hamstring is coming along. I have had no set-backs in the last week. I'll be looking to try and take part in training next week but I'm not sure when I will be back in action. Bradford away a week on Saturday is a possibility. It's down to the physio though. I don't want to rush back and get injured again.

It's been a frustrating time. I have spent too much time in the physio's room. I am desperate to get back and play.

Being out for so long makes me realise how much I love playing football. It's a privilege to play for a living.

I'm gutted that I'm missing the Chelsea game. I'll watch the game on TV at home instead.

Hopefully the lads will do themselves justice. We will be going there for the win. If we can keep it tight at the back, you never know. There are goals in the side. In Nathan Tyson, Junior Agogo and Grant Holt, we have pace and power.

We have been having some good banter about it. Jose Mourinho was saying that Andriy Shevchenko is getting back to his best. I've been giving Wes Morgan some stick, telling him he's going to have to have a blinder to keep him quiet. But he's up for the challenge.

I'd love to be involved. If we get a draw I might be fit for the replay, but we have some important games coming up. We got a really good point at Swansea last week, then after Chelsea we are away at Carlisle and Bradford. We'll end up staying in every hotel on the M1!

Carl Froch, the British Super-Middleweight Champion, came in to do some training with us this week. Our manager met him at a sports awards recently and asked if he wanted to come in.

I used to go to a boxing gym in Mansfield with my uncle when I was younger. It was a good way to build my strength up, so it was good to pull the gloves back on. Frochy gave us some tips and it was nice to vary the routine.

He put the gloves on and started hitting the heavy bag. I was the other side of it, holding the bag, and the power went straight through and nearly winded me. It was scary. It's the speed too. I sparred with Frochy. I think if we fought properly then I'd run after one punch on the chin!

He's a really good guy. He comes across as being really arrogant on TV, I guess you have to have that mindset when you are going to fight someone. He says he feels invincible when he pulls the gloves on. But he's really down to earth. He's very polite when he's with us and does not want to get in anyone's way.

He's a Nottingham boy and a season ticket holder in the main stand. I think he's in the F Block. He tries to get to as many games as possible. He's even been on the pitch before parading his belts.

I'm a boxing fan. I have been to see Amir Khan fight a few times in Nottingham, and I've been to see Frochy too. It's difficult to go and see live fights though, particularly if they are on a Friday night.

My favourite fighter at the moment is Ricky Hatton. On his day he's brilliant. I didn't stay up to watch his last fight though, but I hope to see the highlights. Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali are two of my all-time favourites.

I've met you a few times - you probably don't remember - but it's nice to know that a footballer has the time to talk to the supporters. Do you like doing it?
Craig Stringfellow
I don't mind it. I've met quite a few fans and the majority of them have been fine. I like to speak to them and give them the news. It can be a bit of a problem though, like if I am out with my friends, spending some quality time with them and some fans come over after having had a few beers. If you have not been playing well or are injured, they might say a few things, but you have to take the rough with the smooth.