| Perry Ready For 'enjoyable' Comeback |
| 11 November 2004, 12:00 am |
| By Sotic Administrator A |
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| MATT Perry will look to rebuild his Bath Rugby career when he makes his comeback against Sale Sharks on Saturday. |
The full back has not played since September after a reccurance of a back injury that has plagued him for the best part of three years. The latest set back in a torrid series of knocks, prompted Perry to seek radical advice and he travelled to London to see sports rehabilitation specialist Mike Antoniades.
During an eight-week spell with Antoniades, Matt spent three hours a day working on his core strength and improving flexibility. He even spent a vast amount of time running backwards in an attempt to strengthen the hamstrings that have been so problematic over recent years. The process was a success, Matt has shed a considerable amount of body fat, he has toned up, strengthened his core and is even able for the first time in three years to train properly.
“There was a point not so long ago where I could not even warm-up properly before training or matches because my motor-neurone system was not functioning properly and I was in a lot of pain,” said Matt. “I was in such a state that caused the problems with the hamstrings, glutes and groin, but I am happy to say that now everything is working perfectly.”
It was thought that Matt would need a considerable rest, but the work with Antoniades has been such a success that England’s most capped full back is in line to start his first game against Sale Sharks this weekend having spent just ten weeks on the sidelines.
“It is great to be back. I have had a few false dawns in the past year or two, but in terms of the way that I am running and training, I am so much better now,” he said. “The club has supported me well and they just want to see me right as I do. I want to be out their playing again. Yes, it has only been ten weeks but no stone has been left unturned in terms of my recovery and rehabilitation. I really do feel like a new me.”
Today is Matt’s day off and he will travel to Chiswick for a session with Antoniades and this is something that Matt will have to continue to do for the foreseeable future – rather like a car getting its annual MOT. “He said to me when I first arrived that it would not be a problem getting me playing again, but I would have to make some considerable sacrifices if I wanted to,” admitted Matt. “I now have to manage the way that I train. It is also all about lifestyle and diet – I have to manage my body properly. This might seem a little harsh, but it really is not as I just want to play rugby.”
Matt admits that he will not actually be nervous ahead of his latest comeback as he feels that everything is in place for him to enjoy his rugby once more.
“I really can’t wait for Saturday,” he admits. “In the past I always looked forward to coming back but there were always nerves. This time around I am confident that I have the best possible foundation to enjoy the game again and that is what it is all about, isn’t it?”
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