Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
Ralph ... So far they said I should feel as if I could put my full body weight on my legs and that is how I feel right now. - FILE
NATIONAL STRIKER Damani Ralph, who had been in the island for the past six and a half weeks recovering from knee surgery, left the island on Sunday for Germany to continue the healing process.
The 25-year-old who plies his trade with top Russian club Rubin Kazan, had surgery "to clean out and repair damage done to cartilage in the left knee." This was done in Germany by Dr. Heinz Eichhorn close to seven weeks ago, following problems which flared up in pre-season.
"Based on the report the doctor gave me, the knee could have been damaged close to a year ago and I kept playing on it not knowing that I was aggravating it. When it flared up in pre-season, I rested it but the pain would not go away so the club decided that I should see the specialist," Ralph explained.
The rehabilitation work, Ralph said, should last about a month after which he should be ready to return to his club. Already, according to Ralph, he is on track.
"So far they said I should feel as if I could put my full body weight on my legs and that is how I feel right now," he said.
BACK PLAYING
"I believe that I should be back playing in late May/early June," said the player who joined Rubin Kazan last February from United States Major League Soccer team Chicago Fire on a three-year contract.
Based on the timetable set for Ralph's return, he could miss Jamaica's historic clash against England on June 6, three days before the World Cup starts. But Ralph is not ruling himself out.
"I am not writing off this England friendly. In fact I am eyeing it. It depends on how the rehabilitation goes so I could be ready earlier.
"I will not rush it, but we will see. Every player heals differently," he said hopefully.
Before he returns to the national team he will have to turn out for his club, which he is looking forward to. The club executives he said are eager to have him back and have been in regular communication with him to ensure that he is on track to recovery.
Rubin Kazan are currently in third position in the top Russian League, having won two matches and drawn the other.
