BY ALAN TEMPLE – Capital City Press
Scotland star Robert Snograss is determined to return to action better than ever as he nears a comeback after 14 months on the sidelines.
The Hull City forward has not kicked a ball since the opening day of the 2014/15 campaign after dislocating his knee on his debut for the Tigers against Queens Park Rangers.
However, the 28-year-old is currently in the midst of a punishing fitness regime and is expected to resume full training with Steve Bruce’s squad by the end of the month.
And Snodgrass is determined to make up for lost time when he returns to top-team action.
He revealed: “I’m not that far away. I’ve been doing long runs with the physios and this has been the most enjoyable part of the rehab – getting back outside.
“I never thought I’d be saying ‘I’m looking forward to doing more running!’
“It’s been a long road but I am at the other side and almost ready to do what I was brought to Hull for – to get out on the park and try to help my teammates.
“To be controlled by physios and surgeons has been difficult but I am at a stage now where there are probably saying to themselves that they can’t hold me back for too much longer.
“I will be involved and training with the lads within the next couple of weeks and there will be some game time for me very shortly. So I need to be ready.
“I cannot wait! I have been thinking about my comeback day for so long and it will be like starting all over again. The aim is to come back fitter and stronger.”
Snodgrass, who was keen not to put a concrete timescale on his comeback, admits he navigated dark days during his layoff – particularly watching Hull City slip to relegation as he looked on helplessly.
The former Livingston and Norwich man told BBC Humberside: “Honestly, the first seven months of rehabilitation was not enjoyable, and something I was not used to. I had to get my head around that because it is a lonely place.
“It is so frustrating at times to go through a season which leads to relegation, too. You see the hurt, the pain and agony on their faces and you want to help.
“You have to pick yourself up and get on with it and I feel like I’ve done that. I still have a smile on my face and I’m still working hard.”
