Martinez confident of McCarthy recovery

04 November 2010 14:38
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is convinced midfielder James McCarthy will return from ankle surgery a better player.[LNB] The 19-year-old had an operation this week after damaging ligaments in a tackle from Bolton's Fabrice Muamba a fortnight ago.[LNB]Latics had initially hoped the in-form Republic of Ireland international would recover without the need to go under the knife but there were fears intensive rehabilitation could cause problems in later life.[LNB]Wigan are now hoping the former Hamilton player will be back in action before the end of January.[LNB]Martinez said: "The most important thing is to see James McCarthy getting back on the football pitch with no problem in that ankle.[LNB]"The best way to do that is to make sure the two ligaments in the ankle that were ruptured heal properly. This is the best treatment.[LNB]"He is going to come back stronger and, physically, probably in a better situation than he was before the injury.[LNB]"He is now starting his recovery programme and is looking in good spirits, but it is probably going to be the best part of three months."[LNB]Defender Emmerson Boyce is expected to be sidelined for another 10 days with a hamstring injury, ruling him out of Saturday's Premier League trip to Blackburn.

Source: Team_Talk