Baggley “hopeful” of a July return to action
Waterford FC skipper Barry Baggley is hoping to be back in action in July. Photo: Inpho.
Waterford FC captain Barry Baggley is hoping that the result of a crucial third scan on July 5 will pave the way open for a return to the playing field for the Blues after he has been ruled out of action since coming off in a 0-0 draw away to Dundalk on March 15.
Baggley has undergone two scans already for a stress fracture of the lower back, but the Fleetwood Town loanee and Northern Ireland international is keeping his fingers crossed that he will get the green light to return by the end of next month.
“It’s been a very frustrating last couple of months for myself,” said Barry Baggley in a media update in the past week. “I thought that I started the season quite well and I was starting to really kick on, but the injury really came along at the wrong time.
“Initially I thought that I would be out for six to eight weeks, but then I got a scan after six weeks where the doctor advised me to take a long period out. That’s the reason why I’ve had maybe an extended period, which is longer than I thought it would have.”
“It’s been really tough for me especially when the lads have been doing so well. You really want to be part of it and been on the sidelines is not the same. You don’t get the same buzz, but I still try to be there to support all the lads since I’ve been out injured. They’ve been doing brilliant.
“Even though I haven’t been playing, I feel that I still have a role as club captain to support the lads and to be there for them. I’ve been in the dressing room, been at training, so I want to be as part of this as much I can whilst concentrating on my rehab.
“There’s been a lot of opportunities missed due to the injury including Internationals with Northern Ireland, but you can’t kick yourself. You just have to be positive that in the future that there is going to be plenty more opportunities.
“I’d rather get the injury right now whilst I’m still at a young age so it doesn’t come back to haunt me later on in my career. It’s just better to do everything properly right now.” Baggley added: “It’s one of those injuries where it’s a stress fracture to the lower back. The first scan I got was a MRI that didn’t show the injury as severely where the second scan, which was a CT scan showed how the healing was coming on, but the doctor didn’t like what he saw.
“He advised me to take my time and don’t rush anything because an injury like this could easily come back and keep me out for even longer. I think that the next scan is due to be booked in for July 5th so if that comes back all clear, I’ll be able to kick-on then.”
“It will be probably two or three weeks after that time that I could be back playing games and stuff. I’m hoping that in the backend of the season that I can get back playing and get back to my best so that’s my focus at the minute.
“Our main aim at the start of the season was to try stay up in the division and reestablish ourselves in the league. I think that we’re more than doing that now. We’ve got some big results against some of the top teams and we’re in good form. We’re on a good run and we’re built real momentum.
“The league changes on a weekly basis and we’re just hoping that we continue on the front foot. We have to be ready for every game and I’m hoping that I can be part of that come the final series of games if not a little sooner. We have the points on the board early instead of coming to the end of the season and scrambling for them.
“Hopefully mid to the end of July, I’m hoping to get back playing. I’m dying to get back and to be involved in the team again, but until then I’ll still be supporting the lads every week.”
