Jimmy Abdou has revealed that he’s in line for an earlier than expected return following his shoulder injury, and Ed Upson has spoken of his delight at already being back out on the pitch.
Beginning with Abdou, the South London Press carry quotes from manager Neil Harris who confirmed that the midfielder had already been given the all clear to return to training following the shoulder problem that had the potential to end his career whilst he was only five appearances shy of the 300 mark for the club.
Having collided with Michael Bostwick back in October’s five three defeat to Peterborough, the gaffer explained.
‘Jimmy is back in the full training group a couple of weeks ahead of schedule. He has been brilliant while he has been out. He has worked very hard – and, being Jimmy, you expect nothing less from him. He has been very focused and pushing himself every day as hard as he can. Tonight`s game against Burton may be too soon. But next week should be an opportunity to bring him back. I am really pleased. The medical staff have worked tirelessly on an injury which is new to most of them – and is an unusual one for football.’
Certainly wouldn’t expect him back against Burton…maybe the bench to further lift spirits?
‘It was a good learning curve for everyone. And because it is his upper body, Jimmy has been able to do his running outside for a few weeks to get him ready and fit. Now he just needs match minutes to get him back up to speed as quickly as possible. With the Christmas period coming up, that is a huge boost for us.’
In other team news Joe Martin and Steve Morison could both return for the game.
As for Upson, he was back in the one nil victory over Bury following a knee injury and he had plenty of praise for the medical staff for nursing him back to his best – even though it included sugar injections as part of the process.
‘Our physio Bobby Bacic and masseur Steve Brown have done a really good job. They sent me up to London to get injections and I managed to get through early, but without rushing it. It was sugar injections to help the tissue bond. I had one two weeks into the injury and another the week after. I had three in all. It was meant to be eight weeks but it turned out to be five. It still felt like a long time. There is still a bit of pain there, but it is nothing too detrimental. It is always in the back of your mind that it still hurts, but it is getting better every game. It is now about building my confidence mentally, every time I train.’
With Upson securing promotion from League One with former side Yeovil Town, and it obviously being Millwall’s ultimate aim this season, he went on to say that the difference in expectations between the clubs does add pressure here.
‘There is a bit more pressure. We weren`t expected to do a lot at Yeovil. Maybe Millwall are expected to be one of the favourites. But we have to take that on board – it is part of the game. And the gaffer instills confidence in us every day. We will worry about promotion towards the end of the season. It is a new team and a long season.’
Vital Millwall on:
Vital Millwall on:
Abdou & Upson On Injuries
