Sam Stockley promised he will be back better than ever when Colchester United kick-off their pre-season friendlies in 22 days time.
The popular 25-year-old full-back is already well on the way to recovery after undergoing surgery to both legs in a Leicester clinic a few days ago.
"All being well I will be fit for our first pre-season game at Sudbury on July 15," said the former Barnet and Oxford United defender, who had operations to scar tissue on his legs.
He added: "I was experiencing a tightness at the bottom of my calf muscles, between my Achilles and shins, and it was extremely painful at times.
"It was like a severe cramp that lasted anything between two to four days and sometimes the pain could be unbearable."
Stockley pointed out how he first experienced problems initially in his left leg when he was forced to limp out of the Layer Road, goalless draw with Plymouth Argyle last November.
He said: "I won my way back into the side in February, but the problems returned, in both legs this time, after our fantastic win at Cardiff in mid-April, which forced me to miss the Easter Monday home game against Luton."
Stockley said he is due to visit the specialist again in eight days time and, all being well, he should be ready to join his U's team-mates for pre-season training in approximately two weeks.
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Published Tuesday, June 24, 2003
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