Source: Northern_Echo
‘Embarrassed’ Whelan refuses to call it a day
INJURY-HIT Noel Whelan has vowed to battle back from the hamstring hell which has blighted his return to football with Darlington.[LNB] He hopes to return in a month to boost Quakers' fight against relegation.[LNB] Which is what Whelan believed he was doing when he was sent on as a substitute against Northampton on Tuesday.[LNB] But less than three minutes later the striker was hobbling back to the dug-out.[LNB] He had been rigorously warming-up on the sidelines, even using an exercise bike, but the substitute had to be substituted after attempting a short sprint which curtailed his evening.[LNB] It marked a disastrous return for the 35-year-old, who had spent three months on the sidelines recovering from the same injury, which was sustained during an aborted debut against Dagenham & Redbridge.[LNB] Quakers assistant manager Kevin Richardson revealed yesterday that, despite Whelan's clear injury problem, the player has a future with the club if he can recapture his fitness, which is now the former Middlesbrough forward's aim.[LNB] I'm absolutely devastated,[LNB] admitted Whelan, who was Steve Staunton's first signing. I knew the hamstring wasn't 100 per cent but I'd been training a couple of weeks so I felt I was ready.[LNB] But the dynamics of game situations are totally different to training and in some situations it's difficult to gauge if you're ready or not.[LNB] To go on and have to come off within three minutes was embarrassing, all I wanted to do was bury myself.[LNB] It hurts as a footballer because I've been working so hard to get back to fitness and to repay the faith shown in me by the gaffer.[LNB] It's back in the gym now and back to getting the hamstring right, making sure I'm 100 per cent and getting myself fit, but I'm not giving up.[LNB] It is a set-back, but I'm determined to play football again this season.[LNB] Until being handed what appears to be a last chance with Darlington, Whelan had not played at professional level since a short spell with Dunfermline in early 2007.[LNB] He added: It's frustrating because all I want to do is play and to do my bit for the club.[LNB] Steve was good enough to give me another chance and I'm desperate to return the favour and to help Darlington get out of the mess we're in.[LNB] I'm aiming to be back in four weeks, and anything before then would be a bonus."[LNB]
