Only 60 per cent for Stephen Ward
Wednesday 26th May 2010, 6:00PM BST.
Wolves left-back Stephen Ward was only playing at 60 per cent fitness for most of last season.
Ward played through the pain barrier after undergoing a cartilage operation in August on his knee which then got infected, keeping him out until December.
The 25-year-old battled on, playing 22 Premier League appearances, the injury only affecting his form towards the end of the campaign as George Elokobi came back into cover his absence.
But Wolves’ Mr Versatile, who has just signed a two-year extension to his contract, has since undergone a second operation to clear up the discomfort and is hoping his problems are over.
He said: “I loved every minute, but after the injury I was probably only 60 per cent in my knee most weeks. It was a bit of a grind, as most days I needed half an hour to 40 minutes of treatment just to get me through training and then games.
“But you can’t complain about the odd niggle here and there when you’re playing in the biggest league in the world.
“Even with the few problems I had, I hoped I justified my selection in a lot of the games.
“Hopefully it’s a positive that I’ve come through it.”
But Ward is now hoping to be fit for just after the start of pre-season training and believes he can improve further if fully-fit.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to training or playing where I don’t feel any pain or stiffness.
“If I come back 100 per cent, I think there’s more improvement to come from me next season.”
Ward is now free from any pain since going under the knife again.
He said: “The knee is feeling great at the moment. I’ve finally nearly got full movement in my knee, which I didn’t have all last season.
“In fairness I really needed a good cleanout and the cartilage trimmed.
“Hopefully I’ve done it at the right time and I’ve got plenty of time to recover to hopefully be fighting fit for soon after the start of pre-season.
“I’ll be in and out of the training ground until then with that aim in mind.”
UK Sport
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