PILATES OF THE CARIBBEAN
Tom’s fit and firing after taking his physio on holiday to Barbados
TOM CLEVERLEY feels as good as new again after what Troy Deeney described as “a year of hell” for the popular midfielder.
Cleverley drew a line under months of frustration caused by a long-standing Achilles injury with a stunning volley to cap Watford’s second-half comeback at Crystal Palace. He opened up on his rehab following pre-season surgery, including having to take a physio on his family holiday to Barbados, the psychological impact of his lay-off and feeling like he had no purpose while sidelined.
But before that, the midfielder’s emotional celebration and his team-mates’ joy, as much as anything, showed just how much he has been through.
Cleverley said: “It’s been a really tough 11 months with the injury, surgery and then long rehab. But that moment makes the long road back worth it. All the hard work has paid off. Every pre-season and every year around Christmas time it was bothering me. It was just wear and tear.
“I was trying to do manual rehab for the first few months but it just wasn’t working. So I had to have surgery in July.
“That comes with four to six months rehab, taking me to the end of November before I was able to try to get back in the squad. But it feels as good as new so hopefully all that’s behind me and I can look forward.
“It makes you appreciate the game more, massively. There were some real low points when I felt as though I had no purpose. My job, apart my family, is the most important thing to me and when you can’t do it you haven’t really got any targets or goals in life.
“You now appreciate every day – even when you are just kicking a ball in training.
“We take our fitness for granted sometimes.
“I know people have far worse problems, but when you’re a footballer coming back from injury it takes over your life.
“Even in the summer one of the physios came on holiday with me and my family so I could continue my rehab.” Sub Cleverley’s strike, after Craig Cathcart goals at both ends, meant the frustration was all Roy Hodgson’s at full-time.
Low-scoring Palace’s lack of cutting edge was exposed again but he hit out at the “irritating” links to strikers he is not interested in.
And he doubts there will be any available players “good enough” to bring in this month.
He said: “There’s no point me ranting and raving at the chairman or sporting director Dougie Freedman, saying, “Where is this player?” Because, if I was in their position, I don’t know where he is either.”