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Clichy close to a return as defensive problems ease
By Richard Clarke
Gael Clichy hopes to return to full training next week.
The left back’s last appearance came on November 11 when he was playing for France Under-21s against England Under-21s in the European Championship Play-offs first leg at White Hart Lane. He failed to come out after half time having succumbed to the same injury that had sidelined Ashley Cole six weeks earlier — a stress fracture of the foot.
Clichy had surgery and has been working hard at his rehabilitation ever since. Now the wait is nearly over. However the 20-year-old will not be rushing his return; a similar injury curtailed his participation at the end of last season.
“I feel really good,” he told Arsenal.com. “I have been working with the fitness coach since last week. I hope that I can be back in the next week or maybe two weeks time. I am looking forward to playing again and helping the team.
“I feel I could train full contact with the first team now but we want to be a little bit careful because it is the second time for me. There is no point getting injured again. So I’ll take it calm right now and hope that next week could be a good one for me.”
The former Cannes defender is one of seven players used by Arsene Wenger at left back this season. Undoubtedly it has become Arsenal’s problem position with Cole, Clichy, Pascal Cygan, Lauren, Kerrea Gilbert and Philippe Senderos all filling the role at some point before Seb Larsson took over the mantle at St Andrew’s last Saturday. Clichy was not surprised to see the Swede cope so well.
“We have some talented youngsters playing here,” said the Frenchman “It is not the first time we have seen it. There was the Carling Cup this season and last season.
“Sebastian Larsson was playing amazing at left back on Saturday even though it is not his position. That sort of thing makes the coach and the players very happy.
“If we can keep this sort of performance going in the next three or four games then it would be very good for the team.” |
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發表於 2006-2-9 22:40:36
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