Light at the end of the tunnel for Townsend

Lyndon Lloyd 16/09/2022 19comments  |  Jump to last

Andros Townsend has spoken of how pleased he is with the pace of his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and he feels like he could emerge from his rehabilitation in the best physical shape of his career.

The winger suffered the serious injury on his old stomping ground of Selhurst Park early in Everton's ill-fated FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace last March.

Months of rehab work in consultation with a specialist in Qatar has helped him along the road to recovery and while there is still no timetable on his return, he is looking forward to the day he can get back out on the pitch for the Blues. 

“'[The only thing] that’s been on my mind is how can I get back bigger, better and stronger? he said on evertontv. â€œI’ve been working on strengthening my hamstrings and my calves. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been body-fat wise and weight-wise. Hopefully that stands me in good stead when I do return.

“The next step is to try to reintegrate [into the squad]. With an injury like this, it’s all about hitting markers. Your jumps need to be at a certain height, your quads at a certain strength.

“After hitting those marks, it’s about reintegrating, looking at when I can join in during a warm-up, do a passing drill, then, of course, getting back to full training.

“I’m just over five months in now [to my rehabilitation plan] and there is still time to hit those markers and progress how I want, so I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

 

Reader Comments (19)

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James Flynn
1 Posted 16/09/2022 at 17:51:25
Good luck to him. Game 37 in May he was still on crutches.
Mike Gaynes
2 Posted 16/09/2022 at 18:02:54
He's 5 months into a process that typically takes 10.

If he's back on the pitch in February, that'll be a triumph.

And we still have a place for a guy who can crack a shot like he can.

Jim Lloyd
3 Posted 16/09/2022 at 18:11:32
Too right, Mike,

He's industrious, great for the team morale and has a hell of a shot on him... not a bad crosser of the ball as well.

Denis Richardson
4 Posted 16/09/2022 at 18:24:29
Injury was a big shame as I think he's been a really good signing. However, although things are going well on the recovery, it'll likely be near Easter before he's fully fit and match fit.

He's not going to be a big part of our season, at least I hope he won't be as it means we'll be up Shit Creek come March!

Unless of course he comes on to score the winner in the semi to take us back to Wembley.... got to keep on dreaming.

Derek Knox
5 Posted 16/09/2022 at 20:05:08
I really like Andros despite his age he always gives 100 per cent, and still able to get a few goals could be a very handy player to keep around when and if injuries kick in.
Peter Carpenter
6 Posted 16/09/2022 at 20:10:50
Good. He'll add to squad strength.
Andy Meighan
7 Posted 16/09/2022 at 20:40:20
You can't fault this lads attitude. Great pro who gives nothing less than 100%. You can tell he loves the club and I've yet to meet a fan who's got a bad word to say about him. A really likeable lad. Hope he comes back stronger than ever.

Rob Dolby
8 Posted 16/09/2022 at 21:02:41
Andros is a good honest level headed pro. He conducts himself well and comes across like he genuinely appreciates being a pro football.

I could be wrong but if his contract is up at the end of the season we may have already seen the last of him in a blue shirt.

When fit he will provide competition to the wide spots in the team on either flank. Maybe another contract would make sense rather than let him walk away on a free.

Bill Gienapp
9 Posted 17/09/2022 at 00:55:16
Townsend's in a bit of a tricky position. I hope he doesn't try to rush back – Bolasie did that, and it's of no benefit to the player or the club.

On the other hand, as Rob says, he's out of contract at the end of the season, and I'm sure in his mind he's got a much better chance of coming back if he's out on the pitch, contributing. I would like to see it work out, because he's an honest, hard-working pro with a good attitude, and there's always a place in the squad for someone like that.

Derek Knox
10 Posted 17/09/2022 at 08:05:06
Bill, yes agree to squad value, slightly different player and RS, but look at Milner, 45 or something and still playing and with spare time to count tea-bags !
David Bromwell
11 Posted 17/09/2022 at 08:26:25
Good to read so many positive posts.

To my mind, Andros always seemed to be a model professional and he has been a big miss from the squad. He was really unlucky to get such a serious injury at this time in his career, let's hope he will make a full recovery.

Maybe someone will draw his attention to these posts and this will give him further encouragement.

Danny O’Neill
12 Posted 17/09/2022 at 08:44:40
I admit to forgetting to mention Townsend when I talk about leadership and experience. He brings that to this squad and it shouldn't be underestimated.

And commitment with desire. I didn't see it at the time as I was in the Lower Bullens, but those scenes of him limping and hopping down the touchline after Dominic's winner against Palace, to join in with the team, spoke volumes. He probably put weeks on his recovery from a serious injury. But it didn't matter, he wanted to be there.

Great goal against Burnley. He has a hell of a strike on him if we can create space for him to get an eye on goal.

Tony Abrahams
13 Posted 17/09/2022 at 09:29:06
Agree with most of the above posts, because there is nothing to dislike about Townsend, so I hope he makes a complete recovery, and still has something left to offer.
Colin Glassar
14 Posted 17/09/2022 at 09:51:18
Even though he doesn't have much of a future at Everton, I recognise his contribution to the cause. He's an honest pro who tries his best.
Sam Mellor
15 Posted 17/09/2022 at 09:57:55
Got to echo all the above, he seems like a great pro in terms of his attitude and always comes across well when I hear him speak. With quite a few young players in the squad now, definitely one to keep around for them to learn from.

Plus he's good for a couple of long-range strikes a season.

Alan J Thompson
16 Posted 17/09/2022 at 15:58:35
A Specialist in Qatar which in Bracewell's day was in the States. How times have changed, eh?
Jerome Shields
17 Posted 17/09/2022 at 17:41:15
Agree with all. Townsend is a good pro with buckets of the character Frank wants.

But he did overdo it on the field, getting himself that injury. Sure he worked hard on his recovery.

Ben King
18 Posted 19/09/2022 at 09:15:40
We should give him an extra year on his contract: as many say: he's a great character and a good player.

With funds still a challenge, we could save the money on a winger and use Townsend and invest in a goalscorer.

For all the industry of our centre-midfield, none of them will hit more than 5 goals in a season so we need more goals.

Steve Daniells
19 Posted 20/09/2022 at 15:46:21
Seems like a really level-headed guy, and good dose of humble in our dressing room.

There really is no need to rush him back because we don't need him at present, but he would be a great addition to the bench when things get really hectic later in the season.

Andros, hoping your recovery continues to go well and you hit those key marks.

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