This week's Flying Kiwis.
"Ryan Thomas is working his way back from ankle surgery that ended his last season, so when preseason started he was one of a couple fellas not at full participation levels as they eased him back up in. But come the third preseason friendly game, a 0-0 draw against VfL Osnabrück, he was finally ready to make his return with a half-hour cameo off the bench.
We’re still in the phase where they play a different XI each half, substitutes running rampant, so he’s not too far behind. Especially since his first XI status probably depends on whether they sell a couple guys or not (Donyell Malen being heavily linked with Liverpool and Dortmund atm). However the timing’s still pretty handy here as those crucial Champions League qualifiers against Galatasaray begin next week so having another reliable option back in contention is huge for Roger Schmidt, even if he’s only good for short and sharp stints at the moment. Regardless of all that, Thommo’s clearly just chuffed to be back out on the pitch...
How’s it feel to be back, fella? “Ah yeah very good. It was nice, it’s been a long time. The rehab’s been going good so far so yeah it was nice to get the first minutes under the belt.”
Why was it that you didn’t play the first couple friendlies? “Mainly to make sure the ankle was completely calm before I started any games or anything like that, that’s why I started with thirty minutes today to make sure the ankle came off better than what we’d hoped. That was the case so all happy.”
Did you bring the energy you hoped to? “Ah... for about five or ten minutes. That was about it and then the tank was empty. But that’s normal. Gotta wait two or three weeks and then hopefully I’ll be back to full fitness.”
Up Next: First leg of the UCL qualifiers at home to Galatasaray is on Thursday 22 July, kickoff time TBD (NZT)