Khari Stephenson breaks his ulna (elbow bone) in a preseason game for AIK Stockholm, two weeks ago. - Contributed

Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

REGGAE BOY Khari Stephenson suffered a major setback at his new club after he fractured his ulna (elbow bone) in a preseason game in Sweden two weeks ago. Stephenson, 26, had just sign a four-year deal with top Swedish club AIK of Allsvenskan in January following a successful season at Gothenburg club GAIS in 2006.

"It was in practice game, actually a week before the seasonbegan. I went up for a header and it felt like somebody ran under me and I was trying to use my hand to break my fall when I landed and my body twisted at the same time and all the pressure went on my hand," Stephenson told The Gleaner while recuperating at home in Jamaica.

"It is right below my elbow. It was a clean break and I did surgery in Sweden two Mondays ago and they put in a plate with screws and pins," said Stephenson.

Stephenson will be out of action for another 10 weeks but will be leaving for Sweden today and start jogging.

"So far I have done well during the preseason in most of the games and the coaches and fans have been happy and more than pleased," he said.

"I was really looking forward to make my season debut with the team and help the team in the best way that I can. We are favourites to win the league this year," said Stephenson.

Stephenson, a towering central midfielder who made his debut for the Reggae Boyz in 2004 against Guatemala, has earned 21 national caps while scoring three goals.

For his new club, Stephenson said he has been used in various positions during the preseason games.

"They have me playing central midfiel we change formation according to the teams we are playing," he said.

"In one preseason game I played out wide where my role was to cut inside and attack. Another game we played a diamond and I was also on the right. But most of the times I am in the central."

Although he won't be able to showcase his skills at the start of the season, Stephenson, knows why he was brought to the club and is not too perturbed about securing a starting position.

Big team

"It will be tough because it is a big team and the best team in Sweden, and I was really brought in to replace the captain who is 33. I knew what the situation was coming into this team, but I am in a bigger team with a much bigger fan base and a lot more people coming to watch the game. It will be easier for me to move on after that," he said.

"I am not worrying about starting now I just want to show the coach that I am more than ready." Stephenson, who has basically taken over the central midfield role for Jamaica, is eager to don the national colours once again as the World Cup campaign starts early next year.

But with a new technical director on the scene Stephenson knows he will have to prove himself all over.

"I have met him, but I haven't had a conversation with him (Bora Milutinovic). I am very much looking for it. This is the World Cup and we have more local people playing overseas and that shows the strength of the team we have," said Stephenson, who appeared for the Jamaica Under-20s in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina.