Boro assistant head coach sympathises with dismayed defender while Karanka believes Williams must put the Rio heartache aside
Craig Hignett is backing Rhys Williams to bounce back from his World Cup heartbreak.
The versatile Boro defender’s dreams of representing Australia in this summer’s tournament in Brazil were shattered for a second time when he suffered a torn Achilles in January.
Williams - who plays as a right-back for Australia - went down in pain in the centre-circle after turning quickly during a goalless draw with Wigan.
Williams seemed ahead of schedule in his recovery and he announced he was aiming to prove his fitness before the end of the season.
The 25-year-old was determined to recover in time to play for Boro again this term and win a place in the Socceroos squad.
But last week those slim hopes were dashed when boss Aitor Karanka ruled out a first team return this season.
View gallery Rhys Williams
View gallery
It’s a double blow for Williams, who missed the 2010 World Cup in South Africa due to a pelvic problem.
Assistant head coach Hignett says he sympathises with the dismayed defender - and predicted he will bounce back.
Hignett feels his pain, saying: “If he can’t make the World Cup I can only imagine how he feels because he missed the last one as well.
“I was talking to him about it and he was saying how he missed the last one through injury too and to have that happen twice is terrible.
“World Cups don’t come around too often and to be in line for one and then be injured when it comes around - twice - must be heartbreaking for him.
“So that’s a real shame for him but if we can help in any way as a staff here we will. We will do what we can.
“But he’s a strong character and I’m sure he will deal with it himself, put it behind him, get on and work and get fit as soon as he can. He bounced back last time and I’m sure he will again.”
Williams had surgery on the damaged Achilles and is now well on the road to recovery. But Hignett believes it’s important that the staff at Rockliffe Park keep his spirits up during his rehabiliation programme.
“When you are badly injured it is the worst thing in the world for a player ,” he said. “But it’s important that we keep them involved, keep them in and around things.
“They have to feel they are still part of the squad and still important to the club.
“The medical staff are really good like that, they will set them a programme and keep him fully focused.”
Karanka, meanwhile, believes Williams must put the Rio heartache aside and concentrate on getting fully fit for pre-season training.
He said: “Rhys was disappointed about missing the World Cup, I know.
“But I think now it’s better for him to focus on the next pre-season.”
No comments:
Post a Comment