Gardner leaves past behind

Tigers defender hoping injury nightmare is over

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 23rd November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Gardner leaves past behind

Gardner: Dogged by injuries

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Anthony Gardner insists he has no regrets about how the last few years of his career have played out.

The 28-year-old, who earned an England cap during Sven Goran Eriksson's reign as national coach, has endured a frustrating time over recent seasons.

Injuries initially saw him slip down the pecking order at Tottenham, with first-team opportunities becoming increasingly few and far between.

He secured a loan move to Everton in an effort to find regular football, but once again saw injuries curtail his progress.

The Toffees opted against taking their interest any further in the summer of 2008, with Gardner finding himself heading off to Hull City instead.

His debut season at the KC Stadium saw him sidelined for long periods, as he struggled to make an impact, but he has been able to piece together a run of games over recent weeks and hopes his future with the Tigers will be bright.

"I went to Everton with an injury from Spurs and it took most of the time I was there to get it right, so I never got an opportunity," said the towering centre-half.

Experiences

"I wasn't playing at Spurs at the time and thought it was a good opportunity to maybe play some games.

"It didn't turn out that way but you learn from things like that. These experiences happen.

"I'm not the first and I won't be the last that that kind of thing happens to."

Gardner claims he is not envious of the position Tottenham and Everton currently find themselves in, insisting he is happy to be at Hull.

"Everyone wants to play in Europe, as I did at Spurs," he said.

"Everyone wants to play in it every year but at the minute I'm happy, I'm fit and playing in a Premier League side.

"I'm at a good club and I can't moan."