Jermain Defoe has targeted a return to action in two months.
The Tottenham and England striker has been told he will miss around three months after undergoing surgery to repair torn ankle ligaments, but the 27-year-old claims his track record of being a quick healer could get him back on the field sooner.
"When I did my metatarsal a couple of years ago, they said I'd be back after 10 weeks and I was back after six. People were joking that I must have some special blood and that I was not normal because I'd healed really quick," he told the Daily Mirror. "Obviously I want to take my time with this because it's ligaments and the ones that I have done take a long time to heal. But hopefully I could be back in about eight weeks."
He added: "I'm also lucky in that I'm 27 and I have only ever had two operations in my career. I'm religious, I don't smoke or drink and I look after my body so that should help me. I'll be fine."
Defoe's injury setback came just days after he notched a first international hat-trick against Bulgaria.
Reflecting on the timing, he added: "It's amazing how one minute you can be on a high, having scored my first hat-trick for England, reaching the Champions League group stages, then have your whole world come crashing down. Just like that.
"But everything happens for a reason and I am part of a fantastic club and a fantastic squad. The boys are quality players who are more than capable to getting through to the knockout stages (of the Champions League)."
Source: PA
