Webber’s day to remember as he makes injury return
Danny Webber has made his long-awaited return to Pompey training
Monday, March 14, 2011: A special day for Danny Webber.
It might have seemed like any other start to the week for most of us, but that was far from the case for the likeable lad from Manchester.
Pompey’s Eastleigh training ground may not provide the most spectacular of confines, but that mattered little to the forward.
Because the pitches at the Blues’ base provided the setting for the culmination of nearly a year’s hard graft for him yesterday.
It’s been 353 days since Webber was left writhing in agony on the White Hart Lane turf.
A ruptured cruciate knee ligament left the 29-year-old’s career in doubt and Webber facing a long, tough road to recovery.
But his dedication and determination to fight his way back to fitness has seen him tread carefully, but successfully, along that path.
Long days in the gym while the rest of the squad have gone about the business they love a few metres away have now been rewarded.
Webber’s final days with the fitness team were completed last week as he found his feet on the training pitch once again.
That cleared the way for him to join in with his team-mates yesterday and mark his victorious fightback.
Pompey boss Steve Cotterill lauded the player’s commitment and attitude to make his gutsy return.
Cotterill said: ‘Danny has had two days with the physio and fitness coach out on the pitch, and he was back training yesterday.
‘Hopefully, everything goes well with him and we get him back into training every day and see where he is.
‘That will be a nice boost for him. He has worked really hard and yesterday was a special day for Danny.
‘He has done really well and we’re really pleased with him.
‘He just needed to get over the first little bit when he gets back out on the grass with the physio.
‘He got through those other days okay, so it’s good news for us.
‘He is on his way out of the gym again now and we’re delighted for him.’
Cotterill is wary not to set unrealistic targets for Webber and push him too hard now he is back in training.
The attitude he has shown throughout his rehabilitation shows the former Manchester United man will be champing at the bit to get some action under his belt sooner rather than later.
His boss knows he has to guard against his enthusiasm and resist the temptation to bring Webber back too quickly.
Cotterill has set him the target of being in action for the final throes of the season.
He said: ‘Danny needs to get his strength and his power back so he doesn’t go out there jelly-legged.
‘We’ve got to give him time to get back and not expect too much from him – the same as what happened with Hermann (Hreidarsson).
‘Dan is a bit younger so he will have that on his side.
‘If he can come back before the last two or three games of the season, I would be delighted with that.
‘If he can come back on the bench before then and maybe get 10 or 15 minutes of running out of him, it would be a boost for everyone.’
Cotterill admitted having Webber back in his ranks will mean a welcome lift for him as well as the player.
Another body in a threadbare squad is cause for celebration in the Pompey boss’ book.
And, when Webber does come back, it will give the Blues manager the ability to make more like-for-like changes.
Cotterill said: ‘It would be a boost for me to swap a forward with a forward, as opposed to a forward with a left-back.
‘We haven’t really got any forward changes and that has been a big problem.
‘Sheffield United, who are second from bottom, took three strikers off and put another three on against us. We have never been able to do that.
‘We would have beaten Nottingham Forest if we had been able to do that all those weeks ago.
‘Bristol City showed that they have got a good strong squad when we played them, too.
‘So it will be nice to have Danny as another option.’
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Comments
There are 42 comments to this article
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zhengdv
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 12:33 AMComment removed by moderator
Adkinsinbredshitearmy
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 09:08 PMИграј се Помпеј! Помпеј Играј се!
Adkinsinbredshitearmy
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 09:05 PMAnd here is some news from my inbred home town. Woman gives birth to her own grandson. http:SLASHSLASHwww.dailymail.co.ukSLASHnewsSLASHarticle-1360791SLASHGrandmother-Pamela-Butler-gives-birth-grandson.html
Adkinsinbredshitearmy
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 08:46 PMIn reply to earlier messages: very soon (i.e. in the close season) our anonymous Swiss business owners will announce their financial targets for next year, which will mean to raise cash a forced sale of Alex Oxocube-Chamberlain to Arsenal for nearly £500,000. Look at the reality of the situation. With our billionaire company owners we are challenging for promotion from Div 3 (although Peterborough winning again tonight, not good news for us). Whereas you with your total lack of money and threadbare squad have only achieved mid-table stability in the Championship. Играть в Помпеи! Помпей Слушать Up!
Adkinsinbredshitearmy
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 08:41 PMTremendous news. I remember watching (on NOVA SPORT!!) that horrifying game at White Hart Lane where Herman and Danny both suffered career-threatening injuries in the space of a few minutes. Not even as if they were brutally tackled by opponents, they were both freak stand-alone injuries. Good luck Danny, maybe the only ealistic goal this season is a few appearances for a few minutes off the bench, but next season is an open book.
Bob Fraser
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 06:45 PMVery pleased about Webber great news. perhaps towards the end of the season after a few steady games.he could become the center forward I keep talking about ?
Stand Up If You Hate The Scum
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 06:41 PMЯ знал, вы бы поняли, это - Google довольно хорошо переводы хотя другой человек сказал в другом потоке, что я написал было дерьмо. Довольно странно?
Albert McCanns Knock Knees
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 04:52 PMТо должно быть. Вам не нужно понять русского для того чтобы написать русскому вас как раз neet Google.
Steve Shirley
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 01:40 PMPost 30 - PMSL !!! Adkins you inbread - You going to meet me next season then when you lot come down? You can meet me outside The Portsmouth News office if you want? As you seem to enjoy it so much......Tool !
Stand Up If You Hate The Scum
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 12:59 PMВам не нужно понимать или читать русских писать на русском языке. Просто спросите Google.
Laidlaw is a Legend
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 12:46 PMDH Stribley. Das ist Good. Lol
whizzkid
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 12:31 PMPost 29. You are correct. Mea culpa. Should have read site not post. Was not being personal. Apologies. Out of interest are you in Russia. Your Russian appears to be very good.
toffeedog2
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 12:13 PMweb footed freak @13 , you spend alot of time following us , is your life so sad , or has your mum popped out for some more fags before you two have an afternoon of passion whilst watching reruns of jeremy kyle in the hope of seeing your polish dad on there
Albert McCanns Knock Knees
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 12:08 PMWhizzjkid, I said site not post. I think the site is poor, it is badly designed and is no improvement on the old one. And as far as I know there is no news in or on any Russian media regarding the take over. So yes pure suposition but if it acts like a duck... etc.
Albert McCanns Knock Knees
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 12:04 PMSo if her Majesty is ot there. Ich denke, dass dem, das mit anderem verglichen wird, Aufstellungsorte wed, die dieses schlecht konstruiert wird und im Allgemeinen geschissen wird.
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