Magennis targets strong comeback with City

Josh Magennis says he’s raring to go after signing a one-year contract extension with Exeter City at the end of the 2024/25 season — despite recovering from surgery on a long-standing hip injury.

The Northern Ireland international has returned to pre-season training after going under the knife at the end of last term.

Speaking about his recovery, Magennis said: “It’s been tough. It’s sort of different for me — obviously I’m still continuing rehab — so it’s pre-season, but a different type. But I’m just enjoying being back out there with the lads.

“I had a long-standing hip injury for the past four years and was able to manage it with injections and painkillers, but around Christmas it got to the stage where they weren’t working anymore. So it was a case of making sure I could go and get surgery, which happened towards the end of last season. It’ll be about 12 to 16 weeks in total, so it was good to do it over pre-season. It worked out pretty well.”

Magennis was equally positive about the decision to commit his future to City. “The environment I came into at the start of the season was exactly what the gaffer said it would be,” he said. “I had a platform to help the team on and off the pitch. When the opportunity came to extend, it was an easy decision for me.”

He added: “My time at Exeter City has been one of the best of my career — the fans, the staff, the honesty and openness from the manager. Playing with younger players has challenged me in different ways too, which I’ve really enjoyed.

“Obviously I’m looking into my coaching as well, and the club’s helped me with that massively. I didn’t want to be the cliché where you hit your thirties and just filter out of the game — that’s never been me. I’m always looking for new challenges and trying to progress my game. That’s what I want to do this season and beyond.”