Varela targets early return
06.03.2007
When he injured his knee in the game against Hertha BSC Berlin it seemed the season was over for Gustavo Varela. But now there is some hope that the Uruguay international will be able to help the Royal Blues in their bid to win the league title. The Schalke number seven flies back to Germany on Sunday. In this interview he talks about his treatment in Uruguay, his contact with his team mates and his hopes of a return to action.
Gustavo Varela, when you injured your knee against Hertha BSC Berlin your season appeared to be over. But now there's a chance you'll be able to return to action soon.
My plan is to do a few more days of rehabilitation training here in Uruguay, fly back to Germany on Sunday and return to full training a week on Tuesday.
When do you think you'll be able to play in the Bundesliga again?
My doctor in Uruguay, Dr Carlos Suero, says I might be able to play part of the game against VfB Stuttgart in a fortnight's time.
How is that possible?
I kept calm after the injury and was hopeful because I had a weird feeling: my knee didn't really swell up and I was able to walk normally. On the advice of my doctor I began by doing eight days of weight training in Uruguay. I then underwent a fitness test on my knee after there was a bit of swelling. Straight after that I had surgery, when only a bit of the meniscus had to be removed.
Have you been able to keep up with Schalke's progress over the last few weeks?
I've been up to date all the time because the players - for example Kevin Kuranyi, Marcelo Bordon and Manuel Neuer - have been phoning me. It's a shame we've haven't been able to win again since I was injured, but we're still top of the league. We can still do it.
Did you hear about Mladen Krstajic playing with a broken rib?
Yes, I did and I can understand him. I'm very impatient, too. I want to help out in the Bundesliga again as soon as possible.
