Express & Star

Gary Gardner takes hope from Vlaar

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Midfielder Gary Gardner admitted Villa captain Ron Vlaar is a source of inspiration as he continues the long rehabilitation process from a knee injury.

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Gardner sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Villa's Under-21 match against Stoke City in late August which required surgery.

It is the second time the 20-year-old has suffered the injury, having previously had the same problem in his left knee in December 2009.

Dutch centre-back Vlaar also spent two separate spells on the sidelines after he broke down with cruciate knee ligament injuries while at former club Feyenoord, but has come back stronger.

"You look at Ron now and he's like a machine and he has done the injury twice. It just gives you confidence that you can come back," said Gardner.

"So many players have done it now; I don't know what it is, whether it's the game being so quick now. But to know that they can get you back, the surgeon I have, Andy Williams, I've got massive respect for him. He's got me back once and I know he'll get me back again.

"It's been six weeks since the injury and a month since the operation. I'm doing fine, I'm walking around, I'm swimming and cycling so hopefully in a couple of months I'll be running and then five or six months I'll be back playing.

"It's hard to say whether I'm ahead of schedule because it's a big injury. I've had this injury before and I've came back from it. So the main thing is that I come back stronger than I was. I know I will be. It's just about time, it's too early to say whether I'm ahead of schedule yet."

Gardner also revealed that he has been a sympathetic ear for Liverpool defender Martin Kelly who suffered the same injury a month after the Villa playmaker.

"Martin Kelly is a mate of mine from England Under-21s and he has done the same thing. I was chatting to him last night, and for the first time because you don't know what to expect," added Gardner.

"I was on the phone to him for a good 45 minutes last night explaining everything and I know he will come back stronger as well.

"Sometimes it can be a blessing to spend that time in the gym and do your leg work and your upper body and your core. That's what you need in the modern game."

*Gary Gardner was speaking to the Express & Star at Villa's EA Sports FIFA 13 Pro Player Tournament. FIFA 13 is out now on all formats including PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360 and iOS.

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