'The road to recovery: I saw Nicky Maynard train '

The road to recovery: I saw Nicky Maynard train
By Gareth Rogers on Jan 31 2013.


For those following Nicky Maynard's return to action closely - he is definitely back in training but appears a long way short of Championship action.
I watched the striker put through his paces during at solo session on the pitch at the Vale training ground.


The good news is, Maynard can run, but is still not going through sessions at full pace.
Also, he can turn, but to be honest, he looks a little ginger on his feet.
And he can kick a ball, but he is a long way short of blasting 20 yarders into the top corner.
Malky Mackay says the former West Ham man will not play for Cardiff City again this season and on the evidence of what I saw today, that seems an accurate call.
But as Maynard mainly walked through a series of shuttles with and without the ball, I could see progress in every step.
Hopefully he will be fit and firing at the start of next season and hopefully by then, he will be a Premier League player.

Whatever the physios say then I trust their judgement.

Its fantastic to hear that hes training though.. making better progress and seems eager to improve his injury.

I have a feeling we may see him for the last game or two for a twenty minute run out seeing as his 9 month rehabilitation will be about up then .
Especially if we are up by then and neither team has anytthing on the game

I have a feeling we may see him for the last game or two for a twenty minute run out seeing as his 9 month rehabilitation will be about up then .
Especially if we are up by then and neither team has anytthing on the game

In that case, there won't be any point in risking him.

I have a feeling we may see him for the last game or two for a twenty minute run out seeing as his 9 month rehabilitation will be about up then .
Especially if we are up by then and neither team has anytthing on the game

In that case, there won't be any point in risking him.

Not really much of a risk after 9 months having a few run outs to help his recovery , im sure if there is development matches towards the very end of the season he will have a laid back run out to ease him into pre season training . can only be good for him at that point .
Doubt he will have a full blown start in a competitive match though .Like i said if there is nothing on the game and nothing to play for both teams then could well have a little run out as part of his recovery in the full team , its been 6 months of a 9 month lay off now , this is the point he starts light training like he is ,rebuilding muscle mass , after 6/8 weeks into retraining they step up his development to near full training then move onto match fitness . so then last 2/3 weeks would give a good opportunity to get him running and playing short periods before he has a rest then into pre -season .
Most players with a acl injury play reserve games at about 9 months which would be bang on the last 2 weeks of the season .
I had the same injury and was playing after 9 months on the parks all of this was explained to me by my physio .
Its not out of the question to see him but it will be very late in the season if they decide the time is right to let him have a game to get ready for pre season .