Phillips eyes early comeback
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:46
The Ospreys' Welsh scrumhalf Mike Phillips is determined to defy initial medical opinion and make an early return to first class rugby - not just to help his franchise in European competitions, but also his country in the November internationals.
It was feared that Phillips could be sidelined till next year after he ruptured his cruciate ligament during the Ospreys EDF Energy Cup semifinal victory over Saracens back in March.
However, speaking to the Western Mail Phillips reiterated his belief that he can make an early comeback from his knee injury to help lead the Ospreys' European charge.
The 25-year-old's recovery has gone as well as anyone could have hoped. And, if everything goes to plan, he will return to action ahead of schedule at the end of September.
That could see him back in first team contention by the time the Ospreys start their Heineken Cup campaign away to Leicester on October 13.
And, with former All Black Justin Marshall now departed, Phillips' availability would be a huge boost for everyone involved at the region.
The big-hitting No.9's recovery will also come as a welcome relief to Wales coach Warren Gatland.
After enduring a scrumhalf crisis during the mid-year internationals, the New Zealander will be happy to hear that Phillips, one of Wales' top performers during the Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year, is already targeting a spot in November's Tests against Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada.
While the player acknowledges that there is still a long way to go in his recovery and he won't be rushed back prematurely, it appears his rehab work could scarcely be going much better.
"I'm dying to get back and things are going well so far," he told the Western Mail.
"I started running a couple of weeks ago and hopefully I will be back by the end of September.
"It will be a big boost to be available for the Heineken Cup games.
"But my main concern is making sure that I come back fully fit without forcing the knee too early."
He continued: "I can't do contact at all yet and I can only do straight line running at the moment.
"So there is still a long way to go as well.
"But hopefully things will go well over the next two months and we will have a much better idea after that.
"It's just all about how the knee holds up, getting back to form and seeing how I am playing.
"Hopefully then I will be back in the Wales team for the November internationals."
