Alex Neil refuses to set date on comeback game after hip operation

Jul 29 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON captain Alex Neil says his hip operation last Thursday was a success, but won’t set a date on his comeback.

The midfield ace admits he probably set himself back last season by coming back too quickly from a similar operation, and won’t make the same mistake again.

But Neil said he’s already recovering and aims to be back in the red and white hoops as quickly as possible.

The 29-year-old said: “The surgeon fixed what he needed to and I’m recovering really well.

“The operation was only [last] Thursday but I’ve got good movement in the hip already so I’m happy with that.

“How quickly I can come back depends on progress and everything is determined by that, so I’m just focused on getting back as soon as I can.

“I haven’t set any targets on a comeback. Last season I maybe rushed back too quickly and that just set me back, so this time I’ll make sure I’m back to the peak of my fitness before I get back.

“I have small targets and I want to achieve certain things at certain times, but I’m not going to get back into things until I’m ready.

“But missing some pre-season won’t be a problem. I’m in a similar position to where I was last season – I did the two weeks of running and then as soon as the good stuff starts, the games, that’s me!”

Alex admits that the most frustrating part of any injury is being forced to be a spectator – which is tough, he says, particularly when Accies are losing.

He said: “I missed so many games at the start of last season, got back, and we had a great end to the season.

“I was hoping to continue that and start off as well as we ended, or maybe even better.

“The injury is something I couldn’t have done anything about and I’ve got my head round it now, so I just need to get on course for a return.

“Watching games is something I don’t do too well. It’s not so bad when they’re winning because I think they’re not missing me as much, although you want to be a part of it.

“But when they’re losing it’s hard for me to watch because I want to be able to contribute and see if I could make a difference.

“I just hope the boys can get off to a really good start to the season.

“It’s difficult that I won’t be a part of that, but there’s nothing I can do about it so I just need to get focused and get back as soon as possible.”