Troy Deeney is back in initial training after his knee operation but the Watford striker says he will not rush back into first-team action. The Hornets frontman was forced to have surgery on his injury last month on the issue which apparently first flared up during pre-season, with Watford confirming he has had bone fragments and some cartilage trimmed from his right knee.
Deeney declared himself fit for the start of the campaign and played the full 90 minutes in the club’s first two Premier League games in August when Javi Gracia’s side lost 3-0 to Brighton and 1-0 against Everton.
The operation has been deemed a success and the 31-year-old has now returned to working in the gym in a bid to get himself back in shape as soon as possible, although he admits he will need to take it steady during his recovery in order to not risk a setback.
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Deeney, who admits it has taken him a while to adjust to being out injured, says he needs to listen to the advice of the club’s backroom staff and is working closely under the supervision of physio Pete Webb, who is planning his careful rehabilitation.
Deeney told the club’s website: “It’s all part of the long road back. I’ve been fortunate to have only four injuries, I think, in 13 or 14 years, so I’ve done well in that sense. Anything else I’ve just usually had an injection and cracked on. But this has taken some getting my head round.
“I just need to do it (the rehab) properly and I need to be realistic. I’m 31 – I’m not 21 anymore and got loads of time on my hands. Pete has broken down the plan for me and there are going to be days when I feel good and want to do more, but he’ll have to hold me back until the knee is safe and secure.”
Watford have missed the experienced striker in recent weeks as they also were soundly beaten 3-1 at West Ham, before stopping the rot with a 1-1 draw at Newcastle last weekend.
The current international break gives Deeney the chance to focus on his recovery further and he will likely step up his rehabilitation in the coming weeks before hopefully returning to Gracia’s side before the end of September or in early October.
He added: “I’m not in too much pain. It’s just more the discomfort from the fluid that’s still in my knee. I was in a lot more pain before the op.”
Watford’s next two games, on September 15 against Arsenal and September 21 against Manchester City, will surely come too soon for the striker but the trip to Wolves on September 28 may be a possible return date.
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