Stiliyan Petrov says a return to football was always on his mind
Wednesday 27 April 2016 20:37, UK
Stiliyan Petrov has told Sky Sports News HQ that it was "always on my mind" to make a return to professional football following his battle with cancer.
The 36-year-old was forced to retire from the game after being diagnosed with acute leukaemia four years ago and undergoing three spells of chemotherapy, but says his health and fitness are now better.
"My health is all good. Obviously, I've been clear of any drugs for a year-and-a-half now so it's been good," he said.
"Obviously, I have done a lot of work in that time and now I have broken the news about me trying to get back into professional football. But there are stages I needed to complete before I came to that decision.
"It was always on my mind, even from the start when I was told I could go back and play. So it's been a long 18 months having to keep that to myself. A lot of people knew what I wanted to do but not many believed it.
"But every time I progressed at different stages they were looking at the changes, the fitness was improving and now I am at a level where I have a chance to go back and play professional football again."
Petrov, who captained Villa after joining from Celtic in 2006, has been training with Villa's U21 side recently but said he appreciates the club have other matters to attend to before he can have a discussion with them about making a return to the team.
"I have mentioned it to them and told them of my intention that I would like to be given the option to join them for pre-season but I think they have a big problem at the moment," he said.
"They don't have a manager and they need to make a big decision, especially for the next season, so I think when they announce the manager and he assesses the situation then I can speak to him and I will know more about it then."
Asked if he thought he could return to the previous levels which saw him star for Celtic, Villa and his national side, Petrov added: "Nothing is impossible. I'll give you an example; going through a cancer treatment they are giving you not very good odds to survive, so surviving that literally you never say never in life.
"I know that it's down to hard work, if you want it, and I really want it. I know I can work hard, get fitter and I hope I can make it. It will be a great story."
Petrov, who made 105 appearances for Bulgaria, revealed he had just completed a double training session before speaking with Sky Sports News HQ and said he is enjoying that level of intensity in his training.
"To be honest, for me to get back I need that extra training and I need that extra concentration so today was just running and a double session of leg work," he said.
"It's been good, it's been hard but it has been enjoyable as well."
