Hearts’ David Templeton says injury was blessing in disguise

BARRY ANDERSON
Published on Wednesday 7 March 2012 12:04

DAVID TEMPLETON today declared his groin injury a blessing in disguise – because it may have prevented him requiring an operation which would have ended his season prematurely.

The Hearts winger ruptured a groin tendon against Motherwell last month but is two weeks ahead of schedule in his recovery and hopes to play again by the start of next month. The injury had troubled him for several weeks before the eventual rupture at Fir Park. Although frustrated at missing important matches, Templeton explained it could have been worse.

“Although it wasn’t good to get injured, I’m kind of glad it happened because if it didn’t I might have needed an operation on the tendon,” he told the Evening News. “Because I ruptured it myself I’m out for less time. Everything has gone well so I should be back soon.

“I’m two weeks ahead of schedule. I was told mid-April I’d be back but I should be back by the start of April. The injury is healing well and I’m not getting any pain now, so it’s just a matter of strengthening the tendon.”

Paulo Sergio, the Hearts manager, had grown irritated by Templeton’s ongoing problem as the 23-year-old struggled to train between games. “The manager was a bit annoyed with it,” continued Templeton. “At times, I was sore. Then a couple of days later I was feeling good so I would train. Then I’d start feeling sore again. It wasn’t a nice feeling at all.

“For four or five games before I ruptured the groin, I’d been struggling. I was in constant pain and having to stop training. I wouldn’t train for a few days, then I’d come back and train for two days before games. I was shooting and feeling pain but now, with this rest, I’ll be pain-free and back feeling fresh. Then I’ll have a few games to get back into the swing of things and hopefully put in some good performances.”

Taken from the Scotsman