I RECOVERED... JUST LIKE ZLAT!
Kayal hails Ibrahimovic for inspiring him through injury woe
BRIGHTON’S Beram Kayal says he has Zlatan Ibrahimovic to thank for getting him through his injury ordeal as he faces Crystal Palace in the FA Cup tonight.
The former Celtic midfielder has had eight major operations in his career, the latest for a broken leg suffered in pre-season.
But the 29-year-old is fit to face bitter rivals Palace at the Amex in only his third start of the campaign – and puts his recovery down to an unusual source.
“Seeing what Zlatan Ibrahimovic did to come back from his injury at Manchester United inspired me,” he said.
Ibrahimovic suffered what was feared to be a career-ending knee injury at the age of 35 – and was back in action less than seven months later.
“For me he’s one of the best in the game. For the last 15 years he’s proved it every year. It’s more than his quality, it’s the winning mentality. Everywhere he went – AC Milan, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juve, PSG – he brought that.
“But I looked also at what he did when he was injured and not playing, the way he reacted and worked with confidence he would be back. It gave me a top model to look up to and learn from.”
Kayal’s reward is a chance to force his way into Brighton’s Premier League line-up as boss Chris Hughton shuffles his pack for the cup tie.
Mrs Kayal will also be hoping it goes well. “My family know if I’m happy in football, I’m happy in the house,” he said. “Normally they say, ‘Keep the missus happy and you’ll have a happy life’. But it’s different in my situation. I need to be happy in football to be happy at home.
“I love the game, I love everything around it – fans, the training, competition. And when I’m injured I really miss that.
“That was also part of the drive I had to be back – and this is a big game to be part of.”
Hughton, an FA Cup winner as a Spurs player in 1981 and 1982, plans a muchchanged team. “I know the FA Cup well and it’s been kind to me,” he said. “I’ve massively fond memories and know what it means to this club too. But some dynamics have changed.
“Would I want to win the FA Cup and get relegated? No. So whereas years ago an FA Cup tie would have the same players as a league game, that’s not the norm these days.
“You seen even Championship teams making wholesale changes. It’s protecting what you have, making sure you are able to stay in the division you are already in.”
Albion keeper Tim Krul could make his home debut, while striker Sam Baldock, and Connor Goldson and Uwe Hunemeier are also in contention.