http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paul-Ifill-c29370 desperate to make a return in Round One game - A-League News
Wellington Phoenix striker, Paul Ifill, has expressed his desire to make a return from injury in order to appear in the Phoenix colours for their Round One game. The striker was talking after finishing a successful training session with his team and was
pleased to find himself back amongst his team mates.
The 31-year-old sustained an ankle injury while playing against Newcastle Jets on December 18, 2010. At first, the injury did not appear serious in nature but x-ray results confirmed that Ifill would have to go through a rehabilitation period for an indefinite
time period.
The striker was left utterly disappointed as his progress got halted in the middle of the 2010/11 campaign. The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barbados-c2848 International has now confirmed that he is fully fit and ready to take the field. The news has been welcomed by the club officials as
the player’s return would be like a breath of fresh air.
Ifill tried to make a comeback against Adelaide United, when the Nix contested them in play-offs in early February, but the player was clearly off colour and had to be substituted.
The 31-year-old further added, “I wasn’t miles away from full fitness but it was difficult. Sometimes that sort of thing works, sometimes it doesn’t, but (coach) Ricki (Herbert) and myself felt it was worth the risk because it was going to be a long off-season.”
The 2011/12 A-League campaign is due to kic-off in October which has allowed some more time for the striker to regain his full fitness.
The Englishman concluded by saying, “I think the off-season is far too long this year and I hope it doesn’t happen again, but the extra time could be good for me. The ankle is fine, but in the last month I had some soreness behind the knee. That is clearing
up now and what I need is a really good pre-season.”
The former Crystal Palace striker finished third in the race for 2009/10 season’s Johnny Warren Medal and was awarded Wellington’s best player during the same season. He has netted 20 goals from 51 league appearances for the Nix so far.
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