Mears targets early return

Defender could be involved in season run-in

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 26th March 2008

Derby County Tyrone Mears

Mears: Suffered stress fracture in left shin

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Tyrone Mears is hoping to be back in action for Derby before the end of the season.

The defender suffered a career-threatening shin injury against Wigan in January and was expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the current campaign.

However, after having a metal rod inserted into his left leg to help support the stress fracture, he is recovering ahead of schedule and could yet be involved for the Rams' final four matches.

Fitness

"The fitness guys have got me back really quickly," he told the club's official website.

"For the past three years I've tried to get through this injury and now I've had an operation which puts things to bed.

"I was able to run again three weeks after the operation, so hopefully I've retained some fitness."

Healing

Mears revealed that he has been playing through the pain since picking up the injury during his time at Preston, but hopes that his recent surgery will mean that he can now put the problem firmly behind him.

"I was told at that time to try and let the injury heal because there was a chance I wouldn't play again," he said.

"I was out for eight months but the injury only healed to a certain point and that meant trying to play through it.

Strong

"The physios here told me there was an op I could have and hopefully now I've seen the back of it.

"The specialist I've been to see has been really good and it has healed incredibly quickly.

"Hopefully I can finish the season strong and it's a clean slate for me and I can go into next season really confident."