Source: SKY_Sports
Pogatetz delight at return
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz has declared his delight at making his return from a long-term knee injury.[LNB] The 26-year-old has been on the sidelines since the end of last season after undergoing knee surgery.[LNB]Pogatetz played for 45 minutes of Boro's 4-0 reserves win over Bradford in midweek.[LNB]Although a tight hamstring curtailed his chances of playing for 90 minutes he has declared his availability for the weekend visit of Watford.[LNB]Contention"I really wanted to play the 90 minutes to give the manager a statement that I'm ready," he told the club's official website.[LNB]"Unfortunately I couldn't do it but the important thing is the knee was fine, I was just tight in my right hamstring.[LNB]"I'm quite pleased because that's the first time I've felt quite sharp in a game and I felt I could have played the 90 minutes easily, apart from the hamstring.[LNB]"Hopefully I'll be in contention for the first team now and we'll see in the next couple of weeks if I can be involved."[LNB]ProgressPogatetz has been working hard in training of late following an injury scare and he has been pleased with the progress he has made.[LNB]"I'm quite pleased with the progress I've made over the last couple of weeks," he continued.[LNB]"It's very hard, fitness-wise and also your awareness, but now I've done a lot of work with the Reserves and the first team as well and I feel a lot better.[LNB]"The first team is the final step now. I'm really eager to be involved. Hopefully I'll be able to play soon."[LNB]
