One bright bit of news coming out of Bramall Lane this week was the comeback of Rob Hulse. The striker played for 20 minutes in a midweek friendly and then trained the following day after there was no reaction. It is a remarkable recovery for the striker who was carried off after a collision with Chelsea keeper Petr Cech with a double ankle fracture of the left leg last March. Now seven months later Hulse is ahead of schedule. The striker, who is represented by PFA's Player Management Agency talked to givemefootball's Lawrie Madden about his injury and the long road to recovery.
Q:IT MUST BE A RELIEF TO JUST BE PLAYING AGAIN?
A:I am ahead of target and am surprised how well I'm doing and very pleased with my progress to be playing and getting on the field. I didn't make any tackles. Any 50/50 balls and I just pulled out of them. I am feeling stronger now than ever and that will come in time. I am doing extra weights in the afternoon which is helping me build up the legs.
Q:HOW DID YOU HANDLE BEING OUT FOR SO LONG?
A:When you are injured you just concentrate on yourself. You have to be very single-minded. You have to get yourself right and make sure mentally you are in the right place because you know it is going to be a while out of football. I have had a couple of long term injuries before so I am getting used to managing this kind of situation
Q:WHAT'S THE TARGET NOW?
A:In my own head there is no pressure on me. There are no dates which I have set myself. I will be ready when I'm ready although I don't think I am too far off. There has been no pressure put on by the club. The manager said early in the week that he was thinking of giving me a run out and what did I think. I said 'fine'. The pleasing thing was that there was no reaction the next day and I was able to train.
Q:WHAT WAS THE REACTION OF THE FANS TO YOUR INJURY BLOW?
A:I received loads of cards. I was shocked how many supporters took the time to send me cards and that kept me going. It was very touching.
Q:IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH YOURSELF AGAIN, ISN'T IT?
A:Well, that's how it should be. There are a lot of quality strikers at the club and the team are scoring goals at the moment. I not the type of player to go in and see the manager saying I deserve my place. I know that I have to earn my place and at the moment the strikers are doing well.
Q:HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE TEAM'S INDIFFERENT FORM SO FAR?
A:I can't put my finger on the reason why we haven't been getting better results but we should be up there because I believe that we have the best squad in the Championship. I am sure it will turn soon. There is a good spirit here and if we keep playing it will come.
