Silvestre curses injury woe

French defender eager to return to action

By Joe Drabble   Last updated: 9th January 2008

silvestre mikael

Silvestre: Hasn't featured since his injury at Everton last year

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre is champing at the bit to return to full training after sustaining a knee injury which has ruled him out since September.

The French defender admits that the rehabilitation process has been "boring" and he cannot wait to start building up his sharpness back on the pitch again.

Silvestre has been allowed to do some fitness work away with from the club back in France, and also took a holiday with his family to the United States.

"I have been doing five, six hours a day of rehab since I got injured," Silvestre told the New York Times.

"I'm not even running outside yet, only in the pool. I'm not even touching the ball. So it is very boring.

"It is a long process and a long time without enjoying myself on the field."

The 30-year-old versatile defender is optimistic of a swift return to first-team action when he recovers fully - and the former Internazionale player even harbours hopes of being selected for France's Euro 2008 squad.

Surprised

"I know if I come back to my best then I will be able to play again because there are so many games - you always get an opportunity," he said.

"You can't go straight back to the first team. I know I will have to play in the reserves first - at least one or two games."

Despite being away from the action Silvestre has been keeping a close eye on United's title rivals - and admits he is a little surprised to see Arsenal leading the way at this stage.

"I am surprised to see Arsenal doing so well, like a lot of people simply because they are a young team," he said.

"We are again competing for the championship. I think the club has done some great signings to improve the quality of the team, which gives us a lot of confidence to win the league again, and the Champions League."