The midfielder sustained a knee injury in the away win against Sheffield United last month and there was fear he would miss the rest of the campaign, as was the case just over a year ago at Huddersfield.
But in a shock return, Mpanzu returned to the starting line-up against rivals Watford at the start of the month before playing the full 180 minutes over the Easter period, starring in a win against strugglers Blackpool.
His first goal – arguably the most crucial – was an equaliser on the stroke of half-time and in his own words, the 29-year-old said: “I had to finesse that into the corner. It was a good knock-down from Carlton, not all of them are going to be bangers but it was a good finish from me personally, it was good to get on the scoresheet and most importantly get three points for the team.”
The second was a trademark ‘banger’ with an emphatic first-time finish from Cauley Woodrow’s cutback
“The first goal I took a touch, so I was going to chop him because he came out steaming so I said ‘nah let me slap this in the top bins’ and it went in!
“People are trying to get onto me saying if it didn’t hit the net it would have gone into the crowd, Henri Lansbury and that! It’s good to get two goals, three points is the main thing. Obviously we’ve got another big game on the weekend so we have to dust ourselves down, recover well and get going for Rotherham because it’s going to be another difficult Championship away game.
But those vital contributions a little while ago would only have been a dream for Pelly, who feared the worst after being forced off at Bramall Lane.
“I can’t lie, I really did [think his season was over]. It’s tough because it felt the same as last year against Huddersfield but god willing it was good, only swelling and I came back quick, surprised you lot against Watford, and it’s good to be back in the team and helping to fire us towards the top of the table.
“I prayed, my mum prayed, dad prayed, and it was all good. These things happened but for me, thankfully, it wasn’t that long.
He also praised manager Rob Edwards in his part in a quick recovery, adding: “He’s been great. His man-management has been terrific, he talks to everyone on a human base and professional level, he’s been fantastic since he came in and hopefully we can do something this season for him.”
