Newcastle prop Jon Golding is hoping to continue his storming start to the season when he makes his comeback from injury this weekend.
Falcons prop looks forward to comeback
Newcastle prop Jon Golding is hoping to continue his storming start to the season when he makes his comeback from injury this weekend.
The Falcons loosehead was named man-of-the-match in his last outing a month ago as his side secured a bold 12-6 Guinness Premiership victory at London Wasps, but the 27-year-old sustained a broken rib during the latter stages of the clash.
The injury proved cruel timing for Golding given he was rumoured to be in line for his first England call-up, and the prop is eager to return to the field.
"It's good to be back, and it's been a long four weeks for me," said Golding.
"It's been virtually like a pre-season with the training I've been doing Monday to Friday with our conditioner Andy Smith, so I'm feeling fitter and stronger than ever."
Golding will start in the Guinness Premiership showdown against Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday, and the Northumbrian is relieved to put his injury woes behind him.
"It was pretty sore for a couple of weeks, but a broken rib is one of those annoying ones where it takes time to heal and there's nothing you can really do to speed it up," he said.
Focus
"I've just been training hard, trying to keep my focus and the aim was always to get back fit for this weekend's game at Northampton."
A modest Golding refused to dwell on what might have been in terms of an England debut, despite receiving rave reviews for his consistently solid form at domestic level.
"The injury came at a bad time for me personally, but I know that the team is the most important thing," he said.
"I was injured before England had a chance to pick their Saxons and Six Nations squad, so it wasn't a case of being selected and then withdrawn, and I wasn't taking anything for granted in terms of being called up or anything like that.
"Who knows what could have happened, but I'm not the sort to sit and whinge about it. You just have to crack on, get yourself fit and do your best when you get your chance."
