Jonas Olsson's return 'will feel like another debut'
Mar 10 2009 by Robert Tanner, Birmingham Post
ROB TANNER
Staff writer
rob.tanner@birminghampost.net
Jonas Olsson believes it will feel like starting his West Bromwich Albion career all over again when he makes his comeback from injury at West Ham United on Monday.
The Swedish defender has been out of action for six weeks because of tendonitis and bruising of the bone in his knee and he admits he has found it tough.
The 25-year-old has never been sidelined for longer than a couple of weeks during his career and he said he has found this spell very frustrating, especially as Albion have struggled in his absence.
Olsson has not played since the defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park and Albion have arguably missed him even more than influential captain Jonathan Greening, who has recently returned after a medial knee ligament injury.
Albion have been conceding soft goals with an alarming regularity and manager Tony Mowbray has even expressed his anger at Albion’s soft under belly.
Mowbray has demanded that his centre backs start ‘doing the jobs they are paid for’ and Olsson’s return will be a welcome boost for Albion, who are now six points from safety at the foot of the table.
Olsson made his Albion debut during a 3-2 win against the Hammers at The Hawthorns and he is hoping his return will coincide with another victory.
“West Ham at home was my first game for West Brom and in some ways playing against them again after so long out will feel like another debut,” he said.
“Hopefully, it will be another win as well.
“I should be fit for the West Ham game. Before we went away to Spain, it was difficult to say when I’d be back, but after speaking to the physios, we targeted the West Ham game. So, it’s going according to schedule.
“I’ve been training since last Sunday and did my first full session on Monday. I’ve carried on from there and my knee feels good.
“Obviously, it is difficult having been out for six weeks so I’ve got a bit of muscle pain elsewhere in my body.
“Up until now, I’ve been pretty lucky with injuries throughout my career and hopefully that remains the case after this.
“There was some bone bruising as well as the tendonitis, but the important thing is the knee feels good. It feels good to be back out on the training field again.”
Olsson didn’t expect to be out for so long and he wasn’t the only one.
Mowbray initially believed the 6ft 4in defender would only be sidelined for a couple of weeks.
“When it happened, I never imagined I’d be out for so long,” Olsson said.
“My knee was really sore after the Villa game but I just felt it was the usual post-match fatigue, but then it didn’t get better. It’s been frustrating but I’m glad to be back.”
