Vital’ Newcastle United player poised to return from injury against Nottingham Forest.
Emil Krafth of Newcastle United will make his long-awaited return from an ACL injury when he plays for the under-21s this evening.
The Sweden international hasn’t played in 13 months after suffering a catastrophic knee injury in a Carabao Cup second round match against Tranmere Rovers last August.
After what Krafth described as a lengthy road back, the 29-year-old has been eased back into first-team training this month and will take a huge step towards completing his rehabilitation tonight when United’s second string hosts Nottingham Forest in Premier League 2 (kick-off 7pm).
Emil Krafth talks about his comeback.
Reflecting on his time on the sidelines, Krafth told United’s matchday programme: “Sometimes it’s tough, you know, just coming here every day. For months you do the same work all the time. I think, for me, the first five months was the toughest because you are only in the gym all the time. It felt like I went into a bunker or something when the lads go out onto the pitch – I could never see training because when they went out, I went to the gym, and you just spend so much time at the training ground.
“You go home, you’re exhausted, you go home and sleep… wake up the next day and do the hard work again, for such a long time. I mean like, sometimes the glass just, how do you say, over the top? And you just lose your momentum sometimes. But I think this is normal. I think that’s why I haven’t been there all the time – I’ve been back to Sweden for a couple of weeks, for example, to get some more motivation, change the environment, see some other people.
“But since I’ve been out on the grasss, I’ve been here all the time. When you’re out for that long a time, you need a bit of a switch-off for your mental health and everything. It’s been a long road, to be fair. I’ve had my ups and downs during the rehabilitation but now I’ve been back on the pitch for quite a long time – a couple of months – and for the last four weeks or so I’ve been with the team, which is a really good feeling.
“From day one, your goal is to be back with the team, start training, and play games.” Of course, I have a little longer before I’m well enough to play a game, but that will happen. I’ve worked incredibly hard with the team out there. I’ll probably play a game for the under-21s simply to get some game experience and get in shape, but it feels great to be back.”
Eddie Howe’s remarks
Howe labeled Krafth as “vital” in an update earlier this month on the player. “It’s early days for Emil, but it’s great to see him back; he’s a brilliant character,” he remarked.
“He’s trained four or five times now, and he’s gotten better with each one.”
one, and I believe the group is delighted to see him back with us; he has a fantastic mentality and is an important part of our squad.”
