http://www.safc.com/news/20110810/meyler-bouncing-back-from-injury-hell_2256213_2415654
A return to full training seemed a long way away for David Meyler after he was forced out of Sunderland's 1-0 win at Aston Villa back in January.
The Irish midfielder lay on the turf at Villa Park having sustained a second knee injury in eight months after originally damaging cruciate ligaments against Manchester United back in May 2010.
Much hard work lay ahead for the 22-year-old, who reaped the fruits of his labour by returning to full training recently following months of hard rehabilitation work.
"I feel good - it's nice to be back in training and putting everything behind me after 15 months or so," said Meyler, an Eire under-21 international.
"I'm just looking forward to getting back playing again. I'm doing everything the other lads are in training and I feel good and sharp.
"I need to top up with more training and push on from there."
Meyler spent part of his summer in Vermont, USA, in the care of injury rehab specialist Bill Knowles.
Knowles, who has worked with the likes of Tiger Woods, Frank Lampard and NFL star Peyton Manning, helped the midfielder focus on building up the strength and movement in the joint.
"I went to see Bill Knowles in Vermont and he was terrific," Meyler said. "The physios over here have been excellent as well and really helped me along.
"I was mainly focusing on the strength of my knee in Vermont; I've carried on with the exercises I learned over there and over time everything has felt much easier.
"It's never easy when you're injured and injuring my knee twice was a huge setback.
"But I've had great support from my family, my friends and the club. I knew I would be back playing soon enough."
He added: "The manager has been fantastic with me ever since he gave me my debut.
"I want to repay him for giving me a new contract, put my injuries behind me and help the club to finish as high as possible."
Now the midfielder is focused on a return to senior duty for the first time since January.
Although a first-team return is still some way off, Meyler is excited to get back in action and take his place in what he feels is an extremely strong squad.
"At the moment I'm just finding my feet and easing myself back into it. I haven't played for more than six months," he said.
"I need a couple more weeks of training. Then I can look to get some games in and get back in the team.
"We've brought in some fantastic players and that's a sign of where the manager wants the club to go and where the club is at the moment.
"Everyone here is focused on getting as high up the table as we can."
gona be like a new signing, and there is some quality competition building up in the middle of the park, all very healthy indeed..
A return to full training seemed a long way away for David Meyler after he was forced out of Sunderland's 1-0 win at Aston Villa back in January.
The Irish midfielder lay on the turf at Villa Park having sustained a second knee injury in eight months after originally damaging cruciate ligaments against Manchester United back in May 2010.
Much hard work lay ahead for the 22-year-old, who reaped the fruits of his labour by returning to full training recently following months of hard rehabilitation work.
"I feel good - it's nice to be back in training and putting everything behind me after 15 months or so," said Meyler, an Eire under-21 international.
"I'm just looking forward to getting back playing again. I'm doing everything the other lads are in training and I feel good and sharp.
"I need to top up with more training and push on from there."
Meyler spent part of his summer in Vermont, USA, in the care of injury rehab specialist Bill Knowles.
Knowles, who has worked with the likes of Tiger Woods, Frank Lampard and NFL star Peyton Manning, helped the midfielder focus on building up the strength and movement in the joint.
"I went to see Bill Knowles in Vermont and he was terrific," Meyler said. "The physios over here have been excellent as well and really helped me along.
"I was mainly focusing on the strength of my knee in Vermont; I've carried on with the exercises I learned over there and over time everything has felt much easier.
"It's never easy when you're injured and injuring my knee twice was a huge setback.
"But I've had great support from my family, my friends and the club. I knew I would be back playing soon enough."
He added: "The manager has been fantastic with me ever since he gave me my debut.
"I want to repay him for giving me a new contract, put my injuries behind me and help the club to finish as high as possible."
Now the midfielder is focused on a return to senior duty for the first time since January.
Although a first-team return is still some way off, Meyler is excited to get back in action and take his place in what he feels is an extremely strong squad.
"At the moment I'm just finding my feet and easing myself back into it. I haven't played for more than six months," he said.
"I need a couple more weeks of training. Then I can look to get some games in and get back in the team.
"We've brought in some fantastic players and that's a sign of where the manager wants the club to go and where the club is at the moment.
"Everyone here is focused on getting as high up the table as we can."
gona be like a new signing, and there is some quality competition building up in the middle of the park, all very healthy indeed..
