Wilfred Bouma on path to recovery
WILFRED Bouma may be on the road to recovery from the horrific ankle injury sustained on Intertoto Cup duty this summer but the defender now runs the risk of repetitive strain injury as he answers a flood of mail from Villa fans.
The Dutch international dislocated his right ankle in the victory against Danish outfit Odense BK and will be sidelined until December at the very earliest.
A firm favourite with the Villa faithful, Bouma has been touched by the deluge of support from supporters around the world.
The left-back, who signed a new Villa deal this week, said: “The letters that have come into my mailbox at Aston Villa have been amazing. I haven’t been able to reply yet but there’s been a lot of letters.
“I am getting massive amounts of support and I seem to get lots of mail every day. Things like ‘Freddie I want you back soon’. That’s a massive boost for me.”
Looking at his rehab programme, Bouma added: “It’s too early to set targets for my comeback. The doctor has told me if I am lucky I could play in December but I have to be patient.
“If I play in January I will be happy. It’s one step at a time.
“The first 10 days were really painful. I was devastated but I realised I couldn’t change anything. I couldn’t go back in time.
“That’s when I realised I had to look forward and be positive.
“The plaster has come off. Gradually I can put some weight back on my foot and ankle. This is the start of a tough recovery but I am up to the challenge.
“Patience wasn’t one of my best qualities at the start of my career but I am older now and more experienced. I will wait until it is right before I get the go-ahead to do more. I have never had a serious injury like this.
“I have had three months out twice before and that should stand me in good stead.
“You need to be patient to make sure you can come back stronger.”
