Bristol Rovers' on-loan defender Aaron Downes is on the road to recovery after scans revealed his knee injury is not as bad as feared.
On-loan defender eager to get back playing after injury boost
Bristol Rovers' on-loan defender Aaron Downes is on the road to recovery after scans revealed his knee injury is not as bad as initially feared.
The 26-year-old has been plagued by injury in recent years, but has been enjoying a new lease of life since joining the League Two outfit on loan from Chesterfield in January.
The Australian centre-half was initially ruled out for the rest of the season after sustaining the injury earlier this month, but he is now hoping to return to action in around four weeks' time.
"It's nowhere near as bad as the other injuries thankfully, as it is just a little meniscus tear on my right knee," Downes told
Sky Sports.
Confidence
"I'm looking at probably six to eight weeks out and I've been sidelined for three weeks now, so hopefully I'll be back in four weeks from now until I'm fit for selection.
"Initially the fears were a lot worse than the reality and the club announced that I would be out for the rest of the season, but once I'd seen the surgeon and some tests were done those fears were eased somewhat by his diagnosis.
"It was one of those things at the old club where I wasn't getting as much football as I would have liked and at the end of the day I'm a footballer that wants to be out on the pitch playing as many games as possible.
"When the option came up to come down to Bristol it was an easy decision because they are a big club with great traditions.
"The new manager came in and has given the team a bit of confidence as well, which has transformed into results.
"We are playing some really good stuff at the moment and picking up some great results, so hopefully that can continue and I can help maintain that when I'm fully fit.
"Obviously, the injury came at a difficult time because I was in the side and enjoying my football, but hopefully I won't be out for too much longer."
