Doyle-Hayes ready to put injury issues behind him

Jake Doyle-Hayes moved to Exeter City from Sligo Rovers in August 2025 [Shutterstock] Jake Doyle-Hayes is aiming to put his injury issues behind him as he prepares for the new season with Exeter City. The 27-year-old missed the final three months of last season after undergoing surgery but returned to action in Monday's 2-0 Carabao Cup first round loss at Devon rivals Plymouth Argyle. "Everything's gone well, everything went to plan," Doyle-Hayes told BBC Radio Devon. "The physios have been really good with me and done everything they can to get me to where we are now and ready to go for the first game of the season," added the midfielder, who suffered a serious ankle injury while at Hibernian. Doyle-Hayes' first-half appearance against Plymouth Argyle was his first competitive football in six months [Shutterstock] Monday's game was the first time the former Hibernian and Sligo Rovers midfielder had played under Exeter boss Matt Taylor, who came to the club in March following Gary Caldwell's departure to Wigan Athletic. He is one of the more experienced players in Exeter's squad - he played three times in the League Cup for Aston Villa as a youngster, and had spells in the Scottish top flight for Hibs and St Mirren. That experience has led him to being appointed vice-captain as a young Exeter side look to try and adapt quickly to life in League Two after their relegation last season. "I feel like I was ready for it, but really happy and honoured to have that position," he said. "Hopefully I can bring some of my experience into the changing room and help out where needed." And despite being ranked as 33-1 outsiders to win the League Two title, Doyle-Hayes still feels the Grecians can have aspirations to return to the third tier at the first time of asking. "We want to get out of this league, finish as high as possible," he said. "I really think with the players we have, the mix of youth and experience, I think it's a really good mix and I think we can definitely get out of the league. "Charlie Cummins showed what he could do at the end of last season and he started off this pre-season and against Plymouth he's played well, so I think he's really been exciting since he's come in the team. "We signed Taylor (Perry) as well who's been really good since he's come in, so it's a really exciting team that we're putting together." Listen to Exeter City content on BBC Sounds