Blackburn Rovers have been enduring something of a tough time of late.
The Ewood Park club have won just two of their last 18 Championship matches, following a 1-1 draw with Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.
Indeed, even the appointment of John Eustace as head coach has failed to bring about the wins the club would have wanted. The 44-year-old is still waiting for his first official win after eight games in charge.
As a result, Blackburn Rovers are now 18th in the Championship table, just three points clear of the relegation zone.
However, one element of positive news that those around the club can at least enjoy for now, is the return to action of Isaac Whitehall.
Blackburn Rovers youngster opens up on long absence
It has been an incredibly challenging period of late for Whitehall. The midfielder has come through the ranks of the academy setup at Ewood Park.
He has recently returned to action for the club’s Under 21s. Having featured as a late substitute towards the end of January, Whitehall has now the last two games they have played.
Prior to that, his last appearance in Blackburn Rovers colours had come in May 2021. Since then, a persistent foot injury has kept him out for over two-and-a-half years.
Not surprisingly, that is a period that the 21-year-old has found tough to come through.
Speaking to the official Blackburn Rovers website about his time away with injury, Whitehall said:
“It was so mentally draining at times being away from the team, not doing what you like doing and you’re in the gym on your own. There are a lot of days on your own.
“Every footballer wants to be on the pitch playing and to be out for that long, it’s been terrible.
“If I could take one positive from the experience, it would be just how strong I am mentally after going through it.”
Isaac Whitehall has been incredibly unlucky
It is unlikely that you will find many people who do not feel a good deal of sympathy for Whitehall and what he has been through.
At 21 years old, there are many players his age who would already have some first-team experience under their belts, at the very least.
However, having been out for so long, that is an opportunity that the midfielder has so far missed out on.
Indeed, given it may take him some time to get back up to match fitness and sharpness, it may also be a while before he is able to get that chance for Blackburn Rovers.
Given how few players will endure a single spell in their careers where they are out for so long, to have had this already at just 21, means Whitehall can probably count himself as very unlucky.
Even so, you do have to admire the commitment and dedication he has shown to keep going through the setbacks, and get himself back to the where he is now.
That is exactly the sort of attitude that clubs and officials will want to see from a player in such tough circumstances.
This should therefore serve Whitehall well throughout his career, and he is yet another youngster from the academy Blackburn Rovers fans may now want to see get his chance in the first-team.