How Perth got local Socceroos hero Sainsbury back in shape

Australia defender Trent Sainsbury said he could not be thankful enough of the Perth Glory medical team for beating a nagging hamstring injury that forced him to miss the Socceroos' first 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Australia Trent Sainsbury

Trent Sainsbury has been successfully treated by Perth Glory medical staff (Getty) Source: Getty Images Asia Pacific

While the Socceroos went about beating Kyrgyzstan 2-1 in Bishkek in June, West Australian Sainbury was undergoing his rehabilitation from an injury he sustained soon after playing for Australia against Japan in Nagai in November.

Sainsbury, who plies his trade in the Netherlands at PEC Zwolle, has established himself in the Socceroos squad after making his debut against Belgium in September.

He is well on the road to recovery and has earmarked the first round match of the Eredivisie season against Cambuur on 8 August as his return to first-team action.

"The boys at Perth Glory did an extremely thorough and amazing job and helped me get back on track," Sainsbury said.

"I had time to get some testing and see which treatments gave me relief.

"They pointed out in which areas I was lacking strength and then provided me with a program to follow and so far so good.

"We started pre-season last week but I'm not training fully.

"I'm following the program which will have me ready for the first game of the season.

"I feel a lot stronger and my mind is set on an end date.

"Zwolle were always supportive of me getting myself fit again for the start of the season.

"I am grateful to Perth. They did not have to do anything for me but they are genuine good blokes.

"I definitely owe them a carton or some tickets for the Socceroos' next World Cup qualifier versus Bangladesh in Perth in September."

Sainsbury revealed how he played for more than six months with the hamstring injury to help Zwolle's bid to qualify for Europe.

"There were a few occasions when I was not quite right and called upon but at the same time I knew even if I was not 100 per cent I would do my best for the team," he explained.

"The way I see it, at the end of the day if I feel I can compete and complement the team, I will put my hand up to play.

"When I was not feeling good I would let the coach know in advance. It was a very frustrating time for myself and the coach."

The worst part of the hamstring problem is behind Sainsbury now and he is looking forward to the forthcoming World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh because the fixture will give him an opportunity to play for his country in his home town.

"I want to be part of the Socceroos squad again especially since the game is going to be in my home town," Sainsbury said.

"The Socceroos are looking good after tackling the first challenge but Bangladesh is another challenge they have to meet.

"The team looks fresh with new younger faces coming in and the older boys taking them under their wings which makes for a good culture.

"I'll do anything to be fit for the Bangladesh game."

If Sainsbury takes the field against the Bangladeshis, Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou would be another person who feels he owes Perth Glory's medical staff a favour.


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3 min read
Published 5 July 2015 4:49pm
Updated 5 July 2015 6:49pm
By Philip Micallef
Source: SBS

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