Ex- Huddersfield Town forward Danny Ward says he is enjoying a new lease of life at Rotherham United, after conceding he had difficulty when it came to motivating himself as his John Smith's Stadium career petered out.
Ward was forced out onto the periphery at Town once Chris Powell had arrived and made just 10 appearances under him before being shipped out , initially on loan, to the Millers in the January transfer window alongside Adam Hammill.
And while Hammill returned to the John Smith's Stadium for a last opportunity to prove his worth , Ward completed a permanent switch to South Yorkshire, where he flourished at the back end of 2014/15 to help Steve Evans' men preserve their Championship status.
That has left Ward looking forward to a first full season at the club after admitting frustration at how his time at Town came to an end.
“I’m definitely excited about what next season could bring,” he said.
“It was hard at Huddersfield because I wasn’t playing. It was just training and knowing I wasn’t going to play at the weekend. It’s hard to keep that motivation.
“But coming to Rotherham and knowing I was going to be involved at the weekends gave me massive confidence. It makes you want to work hard and be ready.”
The former Leeds United and Bolton Wanderers trainee suffered a series of niggling injuries throughout his first five months at Rotherham but has worked tirelessly with fitness coach Paul Warne to ensure he is ready to hit the ground running for the Millers this time around.
“It’s really good here and I’m really looking forward to the start of the season,” he added.
“Pre-season has been all right! Obviously, pre-season is pre-season! It’s good to get involved in games again and get those under our belts. I’m feeling good, touch wood. I’m feeling ready to go.
“I’ve just got to keep myself in good shape and get ready for the games.”
