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Defender closes on return
Middlesbrough, 17:55, October 22, 2008 ,
Middlesbrough defender Matthew Bates is hoping to be knocking on the first-team door in six weeks after stepping up his return.
Bates has been on the sidelines for the last eight months after undergoing three cruciate knee ligament operations, but is now closing in on a return to full fitness after playing for the reserves on Tuesday night.
The versatile 21-year-old is now hoping that his injury problems are now behind him and is targeting a return to the first-team sooner rather than later.
"I hope to be knocking on the first-team door in six weeks," he said. "It's good to be back. I had 30 minutes in a behind closed doors game last week and now another 45 minutes for the reserves.
"I'm a centre-back but I was happy to play right-back. There are possible opportunities in the first team at right-back at the moment and so it has given me a target to aim for. I want to get involved again and push for my place.
"I've come through the bit where you are thinking about your knee. My body is 100 per cent again, but maybe my lungs are only 70 or 80 per cent, and that's why I need a few more games.
"It won't be easy with the reserves playing every other week, but I have to keep going in training as well."