Source: Northern_Echo
Matthew Bates
Middlesbrough midfielder Matthew Bates has joined The Northern Echo as a new football columnist. Today, in the first of a series of fortnightly columns, the Stockton-born star talks about his trip to America to beat the injury that will keep him out of action for the rest of the season. I'LL be honest, the last four-and-a-half months have been hell. From the high of signing a three-year contract in June I went to the low of rupturing the cruciate ligament in my left knee in a pre-season game against Carlisle. Before the game, I wasn't happy with the length of the grass, something I also questioned before a game at Darlington when I ruptured my left knee for the first time. I'll be very wary going into pre-season friendlies in the future. YOU go through all sorts of emotions being injured. It's difficult to say what you feel devastation, shock, tears, anger and depression are just a few feelings you have to cope with. I had nothing to do for about six weeks after my injury, and I have to admit there were times when I felt sorry for myself. I had to decide between sitting at home and feeling depressed, or going out and having a drink with my mates to forget about things. Sometimes, the latter won. That's all stopped now. Once I had the operation, I knew I had to totally stop drinking and concentrate on getting my knee better. That's what I've done. Maybe going out to forget was a sign of weakness I don't know, but thankfully it's all in the past. THE first six weeks after my operation were very frustrating. I was on crutches and had a brace on, and wasn't allowed to put any weight on my leg. I was given a machine to use for six weeks, and it moved my leg for eight hours a day to mobilise it. I ended up moving back into my mam's because I live in an apartment and just getting up and down the stairs became an event. She was brilliant with me she makes a wonderful coffee. Six weeks after my operation, I could get back into the gym, but only very slowly at first. I was back at the training ground every day, but it's hard watching the lads training when you're wandering into the gym for the millionth time. I had to keep reminding myself of the final goal, and that's where my trip to America comes in. I ARRIVED in Rutland, Vermont last week, fresh from an encouraging consultation with Andy Williams in London. Andy was the surgeon who operated on me three months prior. The threemonth stage is a milestone I've been looking forward to reaching because it allows me to massively step up my rehab. I'll be spending the next three weeks in Rutland, and also coming back for a further six weeks of my rehab because I'm working with renowned knee specialist Bill Knowles. Rutland is a hugely popular ski resort, but you won't see me going up the ski lifts. A snowball fight is as much fun as I'll be having in the snow. I'VE been doing two sessions a day with Bill, either in the pool or the gym, and it's been a hugely beneficial week. I can already see improvements in all aspects of my rehab, and more importantly so can Bill. One of the main reasons I've come here is for a fresh approach, and that's what I'm getting. Bill has already identified weaknesses, and weaknesses are good in a strange way. If you don't identify weaknesses, what is there to work on and improve Bill has worked with a lot of top athletes from all around the world, walking into his gym you see pictures of athletes ranging from skiers to American football players. He has most recently worked with Tiger Woods, who he still continues to work with. If Bill's good enough for Tiger, he's good enough for me.