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Fears still haunt Sissoko

23 Mar 2007 - 11:02:42

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Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko has revealed that he is still having problems with his eye more than a year after suffering damage to his retina during the Champions League encounter with Benfica.

The 22-year-old returned to action only one month after suffering the injury in February 2006 even though at one time it was feared that he would never be able to play again.

"My eye is okay, but it's not like before," said the Mali international. "I still have a problem, particularly when there's a lot of sunshine.

"Sometimes I get pain and I can't see properly so I have to make sure I wear sunglasses when it's sunny.

"There was a moment against Manchester United when I was stood outside their penalty area waiting for the ball. It had been kicked high up in the air and, as it came down, the sun caught my eye and I couldn't see the ball properly.

"I lost sight of it for a second and ended up hitting it straight back up in the air when I had time to control it. That was a problem, but it doesn't happen too often.

"On the whole, I have to be happy simply because I can play football again.

"I feel I have come a long way from when the first doctor I saw in Portugal told me that was probably it for me and football. I say 'thank you' every day that I'm able to play again.

"I did think about it ahead of the Barcelona game. It was a year on since I was injured against Benfica, but I pray all the time. I pray for the future and for every minute while it lasts.

"I suppose I'm lucky. But if I think about the injury against some of the misery that exists elsewhere in the world, it doesn't really compare."