A posiitve James Tomkins is on the mend after undergoing surgery to repair his dislocated shoulder
James Tomkins is hoping to return to action before the end of the season after undergoing successful surgery to repair his dislocated shoulder.
The No5 suffered the injury in a freak incident while in training at Chadwell Heath, putting a spanner in the works of what had been a fantastic campaign for the centre-back.
However, the defender is remaining positive and would love to pull on a Claret and Blue shirt at least one more time before 2014/15 draws to a close.
“I was in the gym doing some exercises like I normally do, but just went a bit too far with one of them and unfortunately I dislocated my shoulder,” confirmed Tomkins, who dislocated his shoulder once before as an Academy player. “I’d have been frustrated if I had done it on the pitch, so to do it in the gym made it even more frustrating.
“I had the operation about two weeks ago and it has settled down. I’m progressing with my rehab and getting more movement and hopefully I can get back as soon as I can.
“I am pleased the surgery went well. I went to see a top surgeon who has done a lot of operations on other Premier League footballers and it went well for myself, so hopefully this time it will stay in place for good. It’s even stronger than it was before now and fingers crossed it all goes to plan.
“I never thought about it when I was going out to play and I became more and more confident with every game I played after it happened before. I was always confident after training and I know when I come back this time I will be the same.
“Hopefully it will not set me back and I will be able to play a couple of games before the end of the season, you never know. It depends on how well it goes. I’m preparing myself mentally that I won’t play again this season, so if I come back earlier then it’s a bonus.”
The No5 suffered the injury in a freak incident while in training at Chadwell Heath, putting a spanner in the works of what had been a fantastic campaign for the centre-back.
However, the defender is remaining positive and would love to pull on a Claret and Blue shirt at least one more time before 2014/15 draws to a close.
“I was in the gym doing some exercises like I normally do, but just went a bit too far with one of them and unfortunately I dislocated my shoulder,” confirmed Tomkins, who dislocated his shoulder once before as an Academy player. “I’d have been frustrated if I had done it on the pitch, so to do it in the gym made it even more frustrating.
“I had the operation about two weeks ago and it has settled down. I’m progressing with my rehab and getting more movement and hopefully I can get back as soon as I can.
“I am pleased the surgery went well. I went to see a top surgeon who has done a lot of operations on other Premier League footballers and it went well for myself, so hopefully this time it will stay in place for good. It’s even stronger than it was before now and fingers crossed it all goes to plan.
“I never thought about it when I was going out to play and I became more and more confident with every game I played after it happened before. I was always confident after training and I know when I come back this time I will be the same.
“Hopefully it will not set me back and I will be able to play a couple of games before the end of the season, you never know. It depends on how well it goes. I’m preparing myself mentally that I won’t play again this season, so if I come back earlier then it’s a bonus.”
When I have played, I felt I have been very consistent and that’s the main thing I wanted to get in my game this year. I felt that I did that and I was getting better and better
Tomkins’ injury came at an inopportune moment for both the player and the team, with the Essex-born youngster enjoying arguably his most dominant season yet in the Barclays Premier League.
One statistic revealed that the defender has not made a single mistake this season that led to the opposition scoring – one which put a smile on Tomkins’ face.
“That makes me feel a bit better, actually!” he said. “It’s depressing knowing that you are out, so those sort of stats are always nice to hear. I felt my season was going well before I got injured.
“I’m gutted for myself that I couldn’t progress because who knows where I could have got by the end of the season. That’s depressing, but those stats will keep me in good stead for next year.
“When I have played, I felt I have been very consistent and that’s the main thing I wanted to get in my game this year. I felt that I did that and I was getting better and better.
“Setbacks like this happen in football all the time, but it won’t hold me back too much. Hopefully I’ll kick-on next season.”
While he may not be available, Tomkins hopes his teammates can finish the season strongly.
“When you look at the fixtures, we have got quite winnable games, so I am confident the lads can get a lot of points from them with the squad we have got.
“I hope the lads stay injury-free and can push on and secure at least a top-half finish – that’s definitely our aim.”
One statistic revealed that the defender has not made a single mistake this season that led to the opposition scoring – one which put a smile on Tomkins’ face.
“That makes me feel a bit better, actually!” he said. “It’s depressing knowing that you are out, so those sort of stats are always nice to hear. I felt my season was going well before I got injured.
“I’m gutted for myself that I couldn’t progress because who knows where I could have got by the end of the season. That’s depressing, but those stats will keep me in good stead for next year.
“When I have played, I felt I have been very consistent and that’s the main thing I wanted to get in my game this year. I felt that I did that and I was getting better and better.
“Setbacks like this happen in football all the time, but it won’t hold me back too much. Hopefully I’ll kick-on next season.”
While he may not be available, Tomkins hopes his teammates can finish the season strongly.
“When you look at the fixtures, we have got quite winnable games, so I am confident the lads can get a lot of points from them with the squad we have got.
“I hope the lads stay injury-free and can push on and secure at least a top-half finish – that’s definitely our aim.”