Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Stephenson happy to back in the frame
Cherries teenager Tim Stephenson believes he must push on and start catching the eye as he bids to make up for lost time.[LNB] The homegrown defender has been with the club for around 10 years and was rewarded with his first professional contract in the summer.[LNB] But he has been unable to display his credentials after suffering injury problems since signing the one-year deal.[LNB] Having overcome a double hernia sustained during pre-season, the centre-half then injured knee ligaments in a reserve team victory over Forest Green Rovers in September. The 18-year-old was named among the substitutes for Tuesday night's FA Cup defeat at Notts County.[LNB] And he is keen to press his claims in the coming weeks.[LNB] Stephenson told the Echo: I haven't had the best start, being injured a few times already.[LNB] It's good to be involved, even if I'm just going to sit on the bench. I'm always pleased to be given the opportunity by the gaffer.[LNB] I've got to push on, work really hard, start impressing and really get back into it.[LNB] I've really got to get involved and that sort of opportunity on Tuesday is what I need.[LNB] Stephenson revealed that his injury woes have not been all bad with the rehabilitation process helping to improve his strength and conditioning.[LNB] Detailing the problems he has faced since the summer, the youth team graduate added: I started off training and running in pre-season as usual.[LNB] After training, I had a few aches in my groins and went to Steve (Hard, Cherries physio). He sent me to the doctor and I was diagnosed with a hernia on both sides.[LNB] I went in and had an operation. I recovered reasonably well a bit slower because I wanted to take it a little bit easier, having had the hernia both sides.[LNB] I came back to training and had the first reserve game a week later. I went in for a tackle after 20 minutes and tore the ligament on the inside of my knee, which wasn't too good.[LNB] I had to do pre-season again almost there was quite a lot of running involved.[LNB] But I feel that I'm stronger because I did a lot of rehab and a lot of strength and conditioning work. It's been a positive as well as a negative.[LNB] I feel a lot fitter than I did and stronger, leg-wise. Working with Jon (Dalzell, conditioning coach), has helped out a lot.[LNB]
