Darius Vassell is hoping to put his injury nightmare behind him over the next few weeks.
Striker almost recovered from knee knock
Darius Vassell is hoping to put his injury nightmare behind him over the next few weeks.
The Manchester City striker suffered a medial ligament injury during a pre-season contest with AC Milan in August and has been out of action ever since.
The knock came at the worst possible time for the forward as he was beginning to show the kind of form which had made him an England regular a few years ago.
However, despite the frustrating spell on the sidelines, Vassell is just happy to be closing in on a first-team return and is hoping to be back in Mark Hughes' plans inside a fortnight.
Pride
"I was hit on the outside of my knee which then bent my knee inwards so the damage was on the outside," he told City's
official website.
"It's an injury that I have done before, so I know that it will take time to heal. It's just one of those things, poor timing but it's something you have to look to get over.
"If anyone had asked me when would be the worst time to get an injury then I would say in that game at that point of the season. But I take pride in what I had achieved before then and the shape I had got myself in, but I know I can get there again.
"I've been in rehab for eight weeks and I saw a specialist last week, he told me that I am alright to kick on in training for the next couple of weeks.
"I think I'm a week or two from getting my full fitness back and I need some games under my belt over the next couple of weeks, depending how the rehab goes."
Exciting
Much has happened at Eastlands since Vassell last kicked a ball in anger, with the Abu Dhabi United Group having taken control of the club.
City are now the richest club in the world, with lofty aspirations for the future, and Vassell accepts he faces a battle to force his way back into the side.
"If we can keep bringing in new players that will keep everyone on their toes, and it excites me as well because I know that I will have to reach a high level to get a game," he added.
"Getting injured at the time I did was so disappointing, it's been really frustrating.
"But, at the same time, the direction the club is heading in is really positive, not only for myself but for the fans and the players as well."
