‘WE HAVE TO BE PATIENT ON JOE’S RETURN’
MICHAEL O’neill is still reluctant to put a timeframe on Joe Allen’s return as the midfielder continues his recovery from one of the worst injuries in football.
Allen has not played since rupturing an Achilles tendon on the stroke of half-time of Stoke’s last match before lockdown in March, a 5-1 thumping of Hull City.
He is mobile and has been building up his training routine, but at the moment he is restricted to watching from the stands.
And O’neill is not putting a date on when that will change.
“Not at this minute,” he said. “It would be unfair for me to make a comment on that, that’s a medical opinion. The player’s had surgery and is in the process of rehab. We also have to be mindful that rehab was interrupted because of lockdown as well.
“There are players who have returned from this injury after six months, we’ve had players who have returned after nine months and even after 12 months. Certainly we don’t want that scenario for Joe, but when you have an Achilles injury and it’s a rupture it’s not as straightforward.
“What I do know is that he’s doing everything possible to be available – and we have to be careful to manage him through this process.”
Allen, Thibaud Verlinden (anterior cruciate ligament) and Ryan Shawcross, who has had a series of injuries, have all been out for much of 2020.
“The situation is very difficult for players with longer term injuries,” said O’neill. “I suppose in Joe’s case the lockdown has meant he’s missed less football. Certainly the postponement of the Euros was a boost for Joe because it gives him a real target for next summer.
“Joe’s a brilliant professional and a brilliant player as well and we certainly do miss him. But we have to manage him and make sure we get through this process.
“He’s done everything possible to get back as quickly as he can. Joe is a great character to have in the club and even while this is very frustrating, he doesn’t show that very often.
“I have constant dialogue with as many of the players as possible and certainly the players who are longer term like Joe, Ryan and Thibaud need that extra little bit to let them know you haven’t forgotten about them. They’re all in good spirits.”
Verlinden had a boost with a 45-minute run-out for the under23s on Monday, but for Allen and Shawcross it remains a significant mental challenge.
O’neill said: “They’re experienced players and recognise that injuries are part of the game.
“I think that probably Ryan’s the more frustrating than Joe’s. Joe knew his was a traumatic injury and he knew the time frame could be anywhere from six to nine to 12 months.
“He has to be managed very carefully but both those players are top professionals and do everything to give themselves the best chance to recover as quickly as possible.
“Ryan’s is more frustrating because he’s been in a cycle of injuries which have been very stopstart but ultimately it’s meant that he has played very little football for more than a year. When he has played he’s had to come in when he’s not 100 per cent right.
“To be fair to Ryan we have to get him to a place where he is 100 per cent right, make sure he’s durable and give him the best chance to play and train and remain injury free.”