Allen gets a chance to catch up with players
JOE Allen is relieved that footballers are able to see each other in the flesh again.
Even if it is from the safety of a two-metre distance.
The popular midfielder has been recovering from an Achilles tendon injury since being stretchered off the field in Stoke City’s victory over Hull on March 7.
The 30-year-old Wales international had surgery within days, but has since had to conduct most of his rehabilitation on his own due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The painful injury would have ruled the Narberth product out for the rest of the season and Euro 2020, which has now been postponed until 2021, but he has rejoined his team-mates back at Clayton Wood as the training ground has reopened.
And as he works to get fit again, he’s been able to chat with Wales team-mate and Stoke defender James Chester, who is on loan from Aston Villa.
“I’ve had my lunch with Joe Allen for the last couple of days,” said Chester.
“We’ve been parking next to each other, so we decided to eat the food the club have provided while having a conversation through our car windows.
“Usually, I would mess about for ages at the training ground after sessions; chat with the lads in the changing room, get a shower, then a bite to eat.
“Now it’s a pretty slick operation, in and out.”
Allen will be hoping to prove his fitness before the end of the year as he looks to return to action well before next summer’s rearranged championships.
The midfielder will be a key player for Ryan Giggs as Wales look to repeat their heroics of 2016, when they reached the semi-finals.