Wilfred Bouma - I thought my career was over
Sep 10 2008 By Nick Davis
WILFRED Bouma feared he would never play again when he sustained the horrific ankle injury that has ruled him out of the first half of the season.
Now the Dutch international, who signed a new two-year Villa deal yesterday, has vowed to return stronger than ever and is ready to fight for his place.
Bouma dislocated his right ankle in the Intertoto Cup clash with Danish outfit Odense BK and is unlikely to be back in action before Christmas.
But the former PSV Eindhoven man admits he feared much worse when he picked up the injury.
He conceded: My first thought was that I would never play football again so I’m very happy that hopefully it’s going fine. Because my ankle was dislocated the doctor told me that’s not a career-threatening thing.
“When they gave me the prognosis they said lots of players have had this injury, especially rugby players.
“Diaby at Arsenal had a similar injury, so did Alan Smith and Wayne Bridge – they all played again.
“In the beginning in the very first training session it’s still going to be on your mind.I’m convinced that as soon as I’m on the pitch I will only be thinking about football so then it’s out of my system again.
“I’m glad I can just walk again and play with my kids. For six weeks I was laid on my back unable to do anything and then you think when this is over I’m just glad.
“It took me 10 days to get over the severe really pain. This is not what I want to have for much longer because every time when you have serious pain you are a little bit worried.
“I think when you experience something like this you have to be very happy that you are there with your family and not on your own. It makes it just that little bit easier.”
Bouma, who started every single game for Villa last season, continued: “I’ve never had any really serious injuries compared to this. I was injured a couple of times for three months, I’ve just had to be patient and make sure I come back stronger.
“It was difficult when I first signed for the club because I wasn’t playing but the new manager has bought the best out of me.
“He knows what is necessary to get me playing well. I was in the best form of my life before I got injured but I have come back strong after past injuries and I will do that again.
“Playing all the games last season was a big achievement for me, I was very pleased with that. But now I have had a set-back but I want to get back playing again as soon as possible.”
