Defender keen to kick off City career
Exeter City’s newest recruit Jamie McAllister is hoping to be involved in first-team affairs sooner rather than later after signing at St James Park a fortnight ago.The Scotsman’s deal was finalised on the eve of a trip to Mansfield Town, but a niggling leg injury has delayed the opportunity to get going for the former Bristol City and Yeovil Town man.
Returning to England recently, after a spell in the inaugural Indian Super League with Kerala Blasters, the 36-year-old joins Exeter mid-season with the team in the hunt for promotion.
Whether or not this Saturday’s fixture against Tranmere Rovers comes too soon for the defender remains to be seen, but he is confident that he will be ready soon enough.
“I’m enjoying it – it was good to come down and train with the boys, and then I spoke to Tis and got something sorted until the end of the season,” he said.
“So I’m delighted with that, and I’m just itching to get going really. I tweaked my thigh in training – we were doing some crossing and finishing and I felt it go a little bit.
“It’s just unfortunate, but I’ve trained the last couple of days with the physio and hopefully I can join in with the boys at the end of the week and hopefully be okay for Saturday.
“Hopefully I can get into the squad – I’ve not trained much with the boys because I’ve been with the physio most of the time, but if not this week then next week hopefully.”
City currently sit three points shy of Bury, who lie in seventh, and will travel to Gigg Lane for their first February fixture.
And Jamie – who helped both the Robins and the Glovers to promotions during previous stints in the South West – is hoping to repeat that feat in the red and white of Exeter City.
“It’s a good stage to come in,” Jamie explained. “The boys are pushing for promotion and I want to be part of that and help the boys achieve that.
“I hope that I can add a little bit of knowledge and experience to help the squad on the park and off it as well.
“The team has got some great quality, they’re good to watch, they can score goals and they’re an exciting team.
“That’s why I signed – with Paul’s reputation as a manager and his style of play and what he has achieved, I want to be part of that.”