Norwich City captain Kenny McLean is on the verge of returning to full training following a successful minor ankle surgery. Reports suggest that the 33-year-old midfielder could be back in action within a week, a promising development for both the player and the club. McLean has endured a challenging spell on the sidelines, having missed the entirety of pre-season. His initial treatment for a minor ankle issue failed to yield the desired results, leading to the necessary surgical intervention.
In McLean's absence, striker Josh Sargent has stepped up to assume the captaincy. However, the potential return of McLean is expected to provide a significant boost to the Canaries as they aim to regain momentum in the Championship.
Reflecting on his recovery, McLean expressed optimism about the healing process. "It's feeling pretty good to be fair," he stated. "It's four weeks since I got the surgery, and I think the timescale was about five weeks returning to training, so we're feeling good just now and we'll just see how things go over the next week or so."
The Scotland international elaborated on the frustrations he faced during his earlier treatment, which included multiple injections over the summer that ultimately proved ineffective. "I tried a couple of injections over the summer which just didn't work, so that's the frustrating part: if we went this way first time round then I would be fit, but obviously surgery is the last resort. The injections just didn't help, so it did put me back a few weeks. When I came back to training, I didn't feel quite right, so I think it's something that we had to do instead of just letting it linger and me not being 100 percent, not showing the best version of myself," he remarked.
Having spent the majority of his career at Carrow Road, McLean is eager to rejoin his teammates. He expressed gratitude towards the club’s medical staff for their support during his rehabilitation and is determined to return to the form that earned him the Player of the Season award in 2024. "It could have been much worse," he acknowledged. "There's no good time for an injury, but dealing with it mentally is probably the toughest part. Right now I'm feeling good, so hopefully I can get back involved pretty soon and then just see where I am. Both my head and heart are saying the same thing, to be honest, that's not split!"
As McLean continues his recovery journey, he remains committed to returning to the pitch in peak condition. "I'm just doing as much as I can, and I've obviously got a lot of professionals who are very good at their jobs around and about me, helping me. They've put me in very good shape and I'll hopefully be back pretty soon, as good as I can be."
Norwich City supporters are eagerly anticipating the return of their captain, as the team seeks to build momentum and achieve success in the Championship this season. Read more about Kovacevic Embraces Championship Challenge After Portsmouth Win.