Source: SKY_Sports
Bates focused on battle
Middlesbrough's Matthew Bates is delighted to just be involved in the club's battle to stay in the Premier League.[LNB] The 22-year-old Teessider has suffered an horrendous run of injuries in his short career, having suffered cruciate ligament injuries to both knees which has seen him have three major operations.[LNB]But Bates has now battled back to full fitness and has even forced his way into the first team.[LNB]The youngster, who can play in defence or midfield, admits he was at a real low point when he suffered his last injury at the beginning of last year.[LNB]"It was the lowest I have been," he told the Daily Star.[LNB]"It was a specialist centre for elite sportsmen, there were rugby players in wheelchairs and skiers who had broken their legs in five places.[LNB]"There was about 100 of us there and I was thinking, 'I am quite lucky I might get out of this'.[LNB]"In a way, I'd rather have these injuries now rather than when I am 30 because it's easier to recover when you're younger."[LNB]BattleBates admits he is determined to help Boro beat the drop.[LNB]"I have to walk down the street every day and go home and speak to the family," said Bates, whose current deal is set to expire in the summer.[LNB]"The foreign lads care as well but when they go home they don't get the 24 hours situation we're in.[LNB]"It's a lot harder for us to take but I'm not thinking about relegation, just about helping the team.[LNB]"It's not do-or-die, but we have two big games before the international break against Portsmouth and Stoke and it would be great if we could get two wins."[LNB]
