Daniels Confident Of Cherries Return

Defender Charlie Daniels is confident he will return from knee surgery better than before and never doubted that he would play again. The 32-year-old has been a regular in the first team since moving to the Vitality Stadium from Leyton Orient in 2011, making 262 appearances in all competitions.

However, the left-back was forced to go under the surgeon’s knife in April this year after suffering a serious knee injury in training. He was forced to call time on his season and told the Daily Echo how the drama unfolded. “It sounds worse than what actually happened. It (the kneecap) just popped in and out really,” he said.

“I was crossing at the time and went to see the surgeon the next day. That’s where I had a scan and I had to go and see the surgeon the next day, on Thursday it was, and ended up having the op that day. “The best thing that could happen was to get it done as quick as possible really, so I could start the rehab.”

It is unlikely that the Harlow-born ace, who began his career in the Tottenham youth ranks, will be ready for the start of the season but he is on track and never questioned his ability to return from the problem. “My mindset was always that I would probably come back stronger than I was before,” he added.

“That was the same with the surgeon and the physios and with the way rehab is going, my markers are actually stronger than I was before I got the injury. “So in terms of that sense, it was a no-brainer.”