Source: Telegraph
Manchester United's Owen Hargreaves fears pain may prove barrier to full recovery
Hargreaves is expected to make another reserve-team appearance for United against Burnley at Accrington tonight, seven days after ending a year and a half of frustration on the sidelines recovering from major surgery.[LNB]Renowned Colorado-based surgeon Dr Richard Steadman told the midfielder his knees were in a worse state than he had ever come across in 35 years of practicing.[LNB] Related ArticlesHargreaves return a painful oneManchester United freeze ticket pricesKlinsmann backs Rooney for European accoladePremier League predictionsGarrido: Tevez is Man City's RooneyRibery fit to face United in Champions LeagueAnd, although Hargreaves has reported a vast improvement, he still experiences discomfort and there is a chance he will never be fully clear of the problem.[LNB]''I wouldn't say I am pain free and I don't know if I can play through it,'' he said.[LNB]''My training has improved over the last weeks and that is a very positive sign for me. I believe that it will continue to improve and progress.[LNB]''But I am still in the process of getting some injections to try to manage the pain because if I didn't have any I would have played at the beginning of the season.''[LNB]That Hargreaves finds himself now on the brink of a return to meaningful action is testament to his determination and mental resolve and the Canadian-born England international always remained optimistic he would ultimately return, despite understandably being faced with doubts.[LNB]''It is only human to think that way,'' he admitted. ''The longest injury before that was when I broke my leg at Bayern Munich and I was out for a couple of months.[LNB]''Football is a physical game and injuries are part of it. But I could never imagine having one that has impacted on me so much.[LNB]''I thought everyone thought I would be fit for the start of the season. It didn't materialise.[LNB]''It has been a pretty humbling experience and I am sure many people doubted me, but anybody who knows me, knows that what I set my mind to, I get.''[LNB]One thing Hargreaves, and Fabio Capello, may wish for is for the midfielder to be fit enough to join England's World Cup party in South Africa this summer.[LNB]Though time is against him Hargreaves, who has been in contact with the Italian during his spell on the sidelines, would be a welcome addition to the squad, though first he is focusing on club matters and becoming the player that brought him to United's attention in the first place.[LNB]''I had better get there,'' he said. ''I am not coming back to just be one of the guys and fill a spot.[LNB]''I have never been that way and, if that was case, I would rather walk away.[LNB]''I am coming back to have an impact.''[LNB]
