Jonathan Greening has undergone a double hernia operation after keeping the injury secret from manager Tony Mowbray over the final weeks of the Championship season.
Greening did not want to give his boss the chance to leave him out of the Albion side which took the second tier title.
And he is optimistic that last week’s surgery will not halt his pre-season schedule when the Baggies start getting ready for their Premiership campaign.
“I felt it over the last 12 to 15 games, not so much during the games but afterwards at home,” admitted Greening.
“I don’t think I told the physio until there was around three games to go because I didn’t want the gaffer to know. If he knew I had a hernia he might think I was struggling and bring me off in games.
“I don’t think the gaffer found out until the end of the season so it was mine and the physio’s little secret.
“I just didn’t want anyone to know because I was enjoying being captain and the run we were on when we were beating Wolves and teams like that.
“I just wanted to carry on playing and I didn’t want to give the gaffer any excuse to drop me. I felt a responsibility as captain.
“After we clinched promotion against Southampton I could have missed the last game but I wanted to help us win the game at QPR and lift the trophy.
“Now I can look back and say I played in every 46 games in the season and when I retire I can say what a great season it was.”
Greening produced his best ever football for the Baggies in that time and will again be a key figure for the return to the top flight.
He added: “I got it done on Thursday and it’s a bit painful at the moment. I feel as if I’m walking a bit like John Wayne and I didn’t think it would be this bad!
“I’m not allowed to do anything for about a week and then I’ll just gradually build up to the bike and then jogging machine.”
18 Comments
That just shows what the mann is made of.
Brave lad, in the current climate where footballers cry off for snapping there head band and broken nails, its great too see a good pro who loves the game that much that nothing was to stop him from playing!
I wasnt one of Greenings biggest fans (always felt he was a bit over-rated!) but this season he has been great and this just shows how much he has matured!
I’m getting to love this guy more and more…
Hats off to you Jonno. That was exactly the attitude that got us the Championship. There’s a few managers that would give their eye-teeth’ if their midfield had been half as good (you can probably include some Premiership teams in that).
Just want to say Thanks. Deebee.
Just show’s you that TM got in right in making him captain.Also his statement is an illustration of the team spirit that exist’s at the club.
Wonder if TM got angry for being kept in the dark by the “little secret”?
Chivalry isn’t dead. Greening has been superb this season, the potential was always there, now he’s achieved it. Making him captain increased his awareness to others and his loyalty is an example in these money-mad days. Let’s all hope he’s a quick healer. We shall need him.
RUMOUR ,,we are trying to get ben foster from man utd on loan for the season,,,thats the type of players we need mow,,go and get him,,,,PLAYING IN THE PREM THE MOWBRAY WAY,,,IN STYLE OF COURSE,,,OOOOOOOH YES.
How refreshing after Ellington and his “toe injury”…
Not sure how ToMo reacted when he found out - but full credit to jonno - even with a hernia he was still outstanding.
Nice one Jonno your a star
Greening is fast becoming Mr Wba.
I would also like to wish Gera good luck if he decides to join Benfica, he is a great pro and he owes the club or the fans nothing.
More good news it looks like Ben Foster is coming to join us for a season, great news there.
Phillips, well good luck what ever he decides, he will always be welcomed back at the Hawthorns.
In Moz, we trust.
NICE ONE JONNO,AS 2 SAID,MODEL PRO,ITS GOOD TO SEE THAT SOME PLAYERS DO CARE BOING BOING!!HERES TO NEXT SEASON
Hats off to you jonno, a real footballer who has shown what leadership is all about in the game.
It is great to have seen him start all 46 games and as captain i think he has shown a real maturity this season,(as other posters have said he has not been outstanding in previous seasons) but good to see that responsibility and a bit of heart has brought out the best in him … long may it continue … new captain marvel????
Cant wait to get some players in, looks like gera has gone,if it does happen then i would say thanks for the memories an goog luck in what happens in your future…. lets give Kev his 2 years J.P and see him coming in as a bit of a teddy sheringham style super sub, i recon he could still do some damage in that role.
Come on you baggies etc.
you wudent believe it wud ya,the way he bossed the midfield at the moll,boing boing gone up the greening way
I’m a wolves fan but fair play to him. . . He was the difference between us at Molinuex. I singled him out before now as the main reason you beat us and I’ll stick by that.
He was quality, and I couldnt tell he had an injury.
What a great attitude, makes you wonder what other players would have done in his situation.
Shows how right TM was making him captain. Real dedication to the cause. Not a fist waving captain but one who leads by example. Don’t forget when the rats were bailing out he committed himself to the club.
Superb attitude
A model pro,who has been awesome this season,good on you Jonno