By Adithya Ananth
16 Mar 2011 09:14:00
Thomas Vermaelen – Arsenal, (Getty Images)
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Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has revealed that he suffered six relapses during his recovery from injury.
The former Ajax centre-back fell prey to an Achilles problem in August last year and has since been sidelined due to the persistent injury.
Having undergone surgery in January, the defender has admitted that he has no idea when he will be able to make a comeback for the Gunners.
“I relapsed six times,” Vermaelen told Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad. “That was hard. Every time I had a goal to come back, but that was then broken again and again.
“I am now cautious. It is frustrating that I cannot play. I had never been injured for so long. On some days it’s mentally very tough but I see this as a test. Perhaps it is also good for my career and it will make me stronger mentally.”
The 25-year-old also maintained that he needs to do some more strength training to make a full recovery.
He said: “I feel no trouble in the Achilles tendon itself, but the muscles around it still need to be made stronger.
“I do not know when I will be back.
“At first they said I would need four or six weeks after the operation. But it soon became apparent that it would last longer. I’m not even in training. I’m still working on my exercises to come back. This is a tough mental test.”
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Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen reveals he suffered six relapses during recovery from injury