Jonjoe Kenny: I relish moments like this

Jonjoe, you made your comeback from injury against Mainz. How did that feel?
I was very happy to be back on the pitch. I felt fit; it felt good to be back out there. It felt like a longer absence than it actually was. I worked hard in order to be back as soon as possible.

What was it like only being able to watch the last few games from the stands?
It was tough, as you can’t do much from the stands. But, you can see a lot of the game and how it plays out. I think it was good for me to see exactly how we want to play and it gives me more ideas to bring to the pitch when I’m playing, especially in terms of moving it up the pitch.

Many fans were eagerly waiting for you to make your comeback. What makes you so popular amongst the fans?
I really appreciate the fans, their level of support for both the team and me personally is really fantastic. I feel really at home here, both on and off the pitch. I try to give a 100 per cent every game, to fight until the end and try to help our team win every game we play. I think that’s something that helps me with the fans.

You made an important block against Mainz in the 78th minute. How did it feel?
For a defender it’s like scoring a goal. Putting your body on the line to prevent a goal is part and parcel of being a defender. We’ve now drawn three matches in a row.

What needs to happen for us to start winning again?
We create a good few chances in every game, but we need to finish them. That isn’t all the strikers’ responsibility, but the whole team can support our offensive efforts. Leipzig is next on the agenda.

Do you think we’re better suited to playing against them and their playing style than against Berlin, Paderborn and Mainz?
The first thing you need to understand is that Leipzig are a very, very good team. They have had a fantastic season so far. Maybe our playing style is better suited to playing them. Both teams will battle it out and it will come down to who wants to play football more. To get an away win we will need to put in maximum effort, which is what you need to do whenever you play a team like Leipzig.