The Galaxy DP’s hip flexor tear is healing up quicker than anyone could have anticipated.
LA Galaxy centre-forward Robbie Keane could be ready to return from injury in half the time expected after engaging in light training earlier this week.
The striker suffered a hip flexor tear in the Galaxy’s loss to the Portland Timbers on July 13th, but after taking an injection and resting for a week he has already been participating in some light running and passing drills.
“I’m feeling a lot better than I certainly did four or five days ago,” Keane said to MLSSoccer.com following Tuesday’s session at the StubHub Center. “It was a torn hip flexor, so usually it’s four weeks, you know? I’m back a lot earlier, so we’ll see how I do this week. At the moment, it feels good.”
Keane was initially projected a return date of August 11th for the game against FC Dallas, but at this rate he may well be fit within a fortnight of suffering what was said to be a ‘badly torn’ hip flexor.
“[Returning on August 11th] was the trainer’s plan. Doesn’t necessarily mean it’s mine …,” the Galaxy captain joked. “Hopefully, I can have minutes maybe before that. We’ll have to see. This is my second day today, so let’s see how it holds up.
“I wasn’t supposed to do the training today with the team, as in football-wise, but because I felt good, I wanted to do it,” Keane said. “The trainer [Armando Rivas], his schedule is a little bit different than my schedule, but as long as I feel good, I know my own body, so I felt good today, and as long as I keep going, train again tomorrow a little bit with the team and extra run after for myself, fitness-wise.”
The Galaxy will be wary of Keane rushing back from injury, but are fully aware of how important he is to the team. The Irishman has contributed nearly half of his team’s 32 goals so far this season, with seven scored and eight assisted. Unfortunately the injury has ruled him out of the MLS All-Star game, with Galaxy teammate and vice-captain Landon Donovan called up to replace him.