Fraizer Campbell: Come back stronger, faster, fitter
Returning from injury? Stay patient and hit those targets, advises Crystal Palace's hotshot
“Having suffered a long-term injury, I’m struggling to stay positive. How do you remain upbeat and come back stronger?”
Paul Arrowsmith, via Twitter
Fraizer Campbell says:
“You’ve got to have good people around to help you get through it. Then concentrate on setting yourself little targets so it doesn’t seem like you’re that far away from achieving something.
This gives you the opportunity to achieve regular goals, rather than thinking, ‘I’ve done three weeks, I’ve got another five months to go.’
When you’re close to returning make sure you don’t rush back. I had to tell myself, ‘You’ve been out for 18 months, so don’t waste your hard work on playing too early’.
Before I played my first game back I concentrated on the positives, rather than questioning whether I’d be able to play at the same level. I was thinking, ‘I’m so excited to be back again, I can’t wait to play’.
I’ve got a big scar on my leg which reminds me what I’ve been through. Every day I work hard to condition my muscles to reduce injury risk.”
Fraizer wears the Adidas British Team kit, designed by Stella McCartney for London 2012. Adidas are the official kit provider for Team GB and ParalympicsGB. #takethestag
For more football tips see:
Use your mind to mend your body
The pro’s guide to rehab
Train when you’re injured
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
'I would love to relive walking out at Wembley in the FA Cup final with West Ham when I was captain': Gilly Flaherty reflects on sensational career
'When Manchester City play it's hard not to be biased as they are my club and I love it when they win - but it frustrates me even more when we get beat' Steph Houghton on the problems of punditry and remaining neutral