Very exciting news regarding the return from injury of Neil Taylor
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| Neil Taylor & Leon Britton watch Theo Walcott skip past. |
Anyone who witnessed, or subsequently saw footage/a photo of Neil Taylor's horrific injury against Sunderland on the 1st of September last year wouldn't have been surprised if, like many players, he was out of the game for a longer period of time than first anticipated. Three fractures and a dislocation of the ankle is a very serious injury, and there have been those with worse luck for whom this kind of injury would be career-ending. Not so for Neil, it appears. The man from Ruthin has enjoyed a miraculous recovery, utilising all the resources at his, and Swansea City's disposal, as well as showing the grit and determination which allowed him to step up to the Premier League with aplomb. This has resulted in Taylor potentially being back in contention months earlier than first anticipated, which can only be good news for a Swansea squad which needs quality competition for places.
Soon after falling victim to injury, Neil spoke about how watching the Paralympics was inspiring him in his bid to regain full fitness:
“I’m obviously devastated about the injury, but if those athletes can overcome what they’ve had to face, then who am I to moan? I have to show the same determination and do it for myself.
“I’m mentally strong, which helps, and I’ve got the support of my family and a beautiful and healthy wife and daughter. Some other people haven’t got that and I owe it to them to battle my way back.
“In fact I want to come back fitter and stronger. I’ve got a year to work on strengthening other parts of my body and come back like a new signing raring to go.’’ Neil Taylor
When he first succumbed to injury, he clearly thought that he'd be out for nigh on a year, but less than six months later Neil seems fit and itching to throw his name back into the first team hat. Last week the Premier League posted a video on their site showing Taylor utilising the St George's Park training and recovery centre - a specialist complex which works with the PFA to ensure footballers get the best medical care available. He's had the chance to work one-on-one with trainers in a bid to come back fitter and stronger than ever before, and judging by the video he's doing pretty well too.
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| Alan Curtis. Legend. |
Key in Taylor making a full recovery was Paul Williams, Morriston Hospital's foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon. On club duty the day Taylor was struck down, he managed to put the dislocation back in while Taylor was still at the ground before a renowned surgeon, Professor Pallister, carried out the operation which, it was agreed, went as well as it possibly could have. It seems Neil is very positive about his chances of playing again this season, and when pressed on the matter, Alan Curtis had some encouraging words to say;
"He's literally only a couple of weeks away from being available, but he's got this huge challenge ahead now of Ben Davies in front of him." Alan Curtis
It seems that we're going to have an interesting dilemma once Taylor regains full fitness. The proof will be on the training pitch, day in, day out, but you do wonder if perhaps one of Davies or Taylor may soon be switching position. Personally, I feel Ben Davies could, long term, become a pretty tasty centre-back, and likewise Taylor had shown increasingly (before his injury) that he was very comfortable bombing forward. Davies, too, has indicated he enjoys his forays into the opposition half so it remains to be seen if there is room in a Swansea XI for both Davies and Taylor. I would say "don't forget Taylor played right-back in the Olympics" but, for me, both the overall performance of the Team GB football team and Stuart Pearce's tactical nous left a lot to be desired.
Both left-backs have shown their attacking prowess, and how effective they are in joining in with their team's flowing passing moves, but it remains to be seen who will win the battle for the coveted starting position they'll be fighting for. Either way, these are the types of problems we want at Swansea City. Better to have two quality players than none, eh?