Town defender on stepping up his injury rehabilitation
- Tommy Elphick delighted to be back at PPG Canalside
- Town defender discusses stepping up rehabilitation from ACL injury
- 32-year-old sets target for return to action
Huddersfield Town defender Tommy Elphick insists that he has been “champing at the bit” to get back to PPG Canalside in order to continue his rehabilitation from a long-term ACL injury.
Town’s no.4 has been out of action for just over seven months having suffered the injury against Preston North End at Deepdale back in November.
After returning to the Club’s training ground along with the rest of the First Team squad last week, the defender was delighted to be able to do some light work on the grass as he steps up his rehabilitation process.
“While it was a bit different with all the protocols we have in place at training right now, it was just brilliant to be back there and to get on the grass, even just for some light work,” he said.
"I have been ringing the physio and the manager every other day and asking if we could come back early - I was champing at the bit to get back.
"It's been tough for everyone during the lockdown. I have been doing my rehab at home with a two-year-old and a five-month-old, so that was interesting!
“My two-year-old daughter would often wander in and be intrigued by what I was doing, but it's been great to spend so much time with my family and I've never appreciated my wife so much!"
The defender made 14 appearances for the Terriers in the first few months of the season, prior to picking up the injury, having signed for the Club from Aston Villa in the summer.
He admits that it has been a tough couple of months since that afternoon at Deepdale but is grateful for the support he has received throughout the injury process and is delighted to be working his way back now.
"After the injury I found myself in a dark space for a little bit.
"It's that little bit of time when you don't know what is going to happen and you're waiting for the scan results.
“You don't know how bad it will be or even if you'll be able to play again and it can be scary for a footballer.
"Once I know what I'm facing, I get myself in that head space to be able to approach it and deal with it.
“I've been through serious injuries before and I know the hard work and motivation that you need to make sure you come out of it on the other side.
"I'm so fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful people, both personally and professionally.
"My physio, Steve Humphries, has been absolutely first class and has given me that confidence you need when you're trying to get back from a serious injury.
"It has been a difficult time but I'm turning the corner now."
Having only returned to the grass last week, the defender is unlikely to feature for Town during the re-scheduled conclusion of the 2019/20 Sky Bet Championship season, over the coming weeks.
He has instead pinpointed pre-season as a realistic date to work towards being back on the pitch with his teammates.
"I suppose the suspension has helped me in terms of having more time to get ready for pre-season.
"I know what I am like as a person and if pre-season would have been coming round in two or three weeks, I would have been doing everything to get back and push myself to be in contention.
"But you can't cut corners with these types of injuries and at least when pre-season comes around, I'll be ready."
