Van Bommel's injury relief
Barcelona star Mark van Bommel says his ankle injury could have been a lot worse.
Barcelona midfielder Mark van Bommel has voiced his disappointment at the timing of his recent ankle injury, although insisted the damage could have been a lot worse.The summer signing from PSV Eindhoven has been performing well with Frank Rijkaard's side in recent weeks, and was handed a first Holland call-up for six months in recognition of his form.
However, after meeting up with the Oranje squad, van Bommel suffered a tear in his ankle ligament in a collision with Middlesbrough's George Boateng.
Further examinations have yielded an expected recuperation period of five to seven weeks, but van Bommel is happy that the injury was not more severe - and praised the Spanish side's medical staff for the attention he has been receiving.
"The injury did not arrive at the best moment for me because now I am playing," said van Bommel.
"But the blow is not a rupture and that is excellent news.
"The treatment is sensational and that is one of the reasons I decided to sign for Barca."
Due to the injury van Bommel will be denied the chance to appear in his first derby clash with Real Madrid, and the Dutchman is expecting his team-mates to have plenty of chances at the Bernabeu on November 19.
"I will be following the team, especially against Madrid. I have dreamed of this match but I will look forward to the return," van Bommel continued.
"If we continue with our form we have every chance of winning in Madrid."
