Demi Mitchell injury latest as star nears closer to Exeter City return

Demi Mitchell injury latest as star nears closer to Exeter City return


IT is approaching 11 months since Demetri Mitchell last pulled on an Exeter City shirt and there is no doubt that the popular Mancunian has been missed by everyone connected to the Grecians.

When he was forced off in that 3-2 Carabao Cup tie against Middlesbrough, few would have imagined what lay in store for the 27-year-old after it emerged he suffered significant knee ligament damage that will sideline him for a year.

Not only is Mitchell a key player for the Grecians, but a popular one too, with fans and players alike. When the former Manchester United, Blackpool and Hibernian flier does eventually return, then he is guaranteed a rousing reception, but while that return is close, it is still a few weeks away.

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“I think it’s been really difficult for Demi,” City boss Gary Caldwell said of a man that racked up 33 appearances for City before injury struck. “I think the mental wellbeing of players in this moment when they have been out for a long period is tough, but we have tried to support Demi as much as we could and get him through it.

“He is now at that last little bit where he needs to get back on the training pitch with the players and get comfortable with training and try and build up his match minutes, but he is getting closer and is probably a couple of weeks away from training with the players. Just to have him out there would be a huge boost because we know his quality, we know how good he is and the impact he could have on this team could be massive.

“It will feel like a new signing and the quicker we can get him back the better, but it is important that he is right. He has had such a long time out, we have to manage him through that process. He is ready to go and working hard and hopefully everyone sees him soon back on the pitch.”

Demi Mitchell of Exeter City during the Pre Season Match between Mousehole AFC and Exeter City at Trungle Parc, Mousehole, Cornwall on 15 July 2024. Photo: Izzy Ninnis/PPAUK
Demi Mitchell of Exeter City during the Pre Season Match between Mousehole AFC and Exeter City at Trungle Parc, Mousehole, Cornwall on 15 July 2024. Photo: Izzy Ninnis/PPAUK

As regular users of social media will testify, Mitchell is a strong-minded personality that is not afraid to voice his opinion. He is the same in the changing room as well and certainly one of the more vocal and interesting characters in Caldwell’s first team squad.

“He can be a nightmare – especially when he’s been injured for this long as well!” Caldwell quipped. “But I love Demi, I love it when he’s creating arguments with everyone, I love it when he’s in good form on the pitch and laughing and joking.

“He’s a character that is always loud in the changing room, but when you have been out for such a period of time, you can have difficult moments and I am sure all the staff and players have helped him through those difficult moments. It will be great to see his character and quality back out on the pitch and I am sure all the supporters feel the same.”

Goal celebrations for  Caleb Watts of Exeter City during the Sky Bet League 1 Match between Exeter City and Rotherham United at St James Park, Devon on 10 August 2024. Photo: Izzy Ninnis/PPAUK
Goal celebrations for Caleb Watts of Exeter City during the Sky Bet League 1 Match between Exeter City and Rotherham United at St James Park, Devon on 10 August 2024. Photo: Izzy Ninnis/PPAUK -Credit:Izzy Ninnis/PPAUK

No timescale has been put on his first team return and ahead of tomorrow’s lunchtime clash with Stevenage at St James Park, he is not the only absentee. Looking ahead to the match, Caldwell said: “(The squad) won’t be much different from Saturday.

“Caleb (Watts) will be available, but still long-term are Pat (Jones), Yanic (Wildschut), Demi and Vinnie (Harper). They are all ruled out, but everyone else is fit and available. It is not just real competition for the starting XI, but for the bench as well now and that’s important.

“It’s a difficult team to pick, but we will look at that and the players will be 100 per-cent ready come 12.30 on Saturday.”