Victor Adeboyejo so happy to be back out on the pitch for Mansfield Town after injury nightmare

The 28-year-old, who was once at Arsenal's Academy, has played for several clubs but really hit form in 2022/23 when he scored 11 goals in 26 outings for Burton Albion, which earned him reported £500,000 move to Bolton Wanderers three years ago.

However, a serious ACL knee injury early last year saw him drop down the order at Bolton and, despite being fit, has been unable to get back in the side so was happy to join Mansfield until the end of the season.

Adeboyejo was a 76th minute sub in Sunday's sensational 4-3 away FA Cup victory at Sheffield United and said: “The boys played incredible and for myself, having been out since last February, just to get on the pitch and run around was enough. It was amazing.

“When you play against Mansfield you know what you are going to get.

“They are a very resilient team, hard to break down and obviously creative in attacking areas as well.

“So it was really good to watch and be a part of it.

“And the fans were incredible from minute one. They encouraged and pushed the team and it was telling in the way the boys performed how much it means.

“It was nice to get on the pitch, have a few touches and be around the boys.

“I have missed it so much.

“It's what you dream about when you are working hard and trying to get back fit.

“I was just so grateful just showing I was back and able to play. I was so happy.

“I have been back training since the end of October and it was just unfortunate there were not a lot of B team games or cup games around that time going into the Christmas period.

“So there was no chance to show my fitness before trying to get into the team. Conversations were not going in that direction.

“So it was important for myself to come out and get games. It was frustrating, but I tried not to be too disheartened and just tried to focus on being ready when an opportunity came along to show what I could do.”

On the injury itself, the first major one he has suffered in his career, he said: “It was an ACL injury and it just happened. I just went to pass the ball and planted my foot.

“I didn't feel anything crazy. It just felt a bit unstable, but I kept playing which was a bit of a blessing in a way.

“A lot of people talk about a lot of pain with this injury but I didn't really feel much pain and kept playing for a little bit.

“So finding out it was the ACL was obviously heavy, but we are here now.

“A lot of my time out was mental and understanding how big the injury was.

“I don't think I really understood at the time. It was a big injury. But I was just focused on getting back.

“It can be tough at times, not being able to train or being among the changing room banter.

“But you get your head around it, work hard and try to put yourself in the best place to return.

“And obviously you dream about the comeback.”

He continued: “This is now an opportunity to play and an opportunity to do something in the season as well.

“As a club we are in a good position in the league as well as still in the FA Cup.

“So there is a lot to play for this season, so just to be in and around that sort of environment as well as coming back fit and showing what I can do again is all promising for me.

“I have signed until the end of the season but would like to be here longer if things go well. We can assess things again at the end of the season but right now I am just looking forward to every second.

“I am a handful on the pitch. I am a threat. I work hard and score goals, and I run around with a big smile on my face. I'm really looking forward to it.

“I am a positive player and I give my all to try to get goals and influence the game as much as I can.

“We have some quality players here. I know Deji (Oshilaja) really well and a few of the other boys as well, so I feel like it's been very easy to settle in.

“It is a good squad and a big squad as well, which is just what you want.

“Personally I want to play a lot of games and score goals and as a club I think there is so much to achieve. We can just dream and look forward.

“The biggest thing here is the mentality. The boys are very resilient – that is very evident to see. And they have the freedom to play and express yourself.

“The manager allows everyone to play and show what they can do. There is a togetherness and there is a freedom – it's top.”

Despite leaving Bolton, he has fond memories of his time there.

“My time at Bolton was good, though with many ups and downs.

“Unfortunately I had my injury and was unable to get back into the team after that.

“But I can only look back fondly. We had some good moments.

“We went on a cup run when I first signed and ended up winning the Papa Johns Trophy.

“The season after we were close to getting promoted.

“There were ups and downs but I can only be grateful for my time there.

“My success at Burton before that was down to a combination of things. It was down to no pressure and just enjoying my game and giving what I could to the team.”

Adeboyejo has been impressed by the standard of facilities at Mansfield.

“Outside of Mansfield you probably don't realise how good it is here,” he said.

“So coming in it was very refreshing to see what the club is doing and see their facilities and training pitches.

“We are trying to do something on the pitch, so it's important to have these facilities and this level of equipment. It is really good.”

After four straight wins Adeboyejo knows Saturday's home clash with bottom side Port Vale is a potential banana skin, especially with the Valiants appointing Job Brady as their new manager and seeing him reel off a couple of wins.

“All we can do is focus on ourselves,” he said.

“We've been on a good run of form recently. Of course it can be tough, but we know what we can do and what we have done in the last few games as well.

“So we are as much a threat as we can be in this situation as well.”

On his new recruit, Mansfield manager Nigel Clough said: “He is similar to Rhys Oates in a way in that he will run around and cause problems up there.

“He has been unlucky with the injuries he has had at Bolton.

“Victor has been fit now for two or three months, but it's a case of having to build him up now and we are going to have to be a bit patient with him.

“He is here to the end of the season with a view to looking beyond that, so we will see how he goes.

“We are delighted he chose to come to us.

“We watched him during his time at Burton, where he did well. Then he got his move to Bolton and was unlucky with his knee injury.

“But he seems happy to be here and hopefully he will enjoy it for the next few months and you never know beyond then.”