QPR Nick Ward's Speedy Hernia Recovery

-
[Don't actually recall his hernia being previously noted.]

Brisbane Times Owen's guru puts Ward back together
Greg Prichard | November 16, 2007

OLYROOS midfielder Nick Ward followed a path worn by England striker Michael Owen to ensure he recovered from surgery in time to play in tomorrow night's critical Beijing qualifier against Iraq at Central Coast Stadium.

Ward, who plays for English Championship team Queens Park Rangers, had surgery to repair a sportsman's hernia only 15 days ago, but has made the swift recovery his surgeon predicted.

"Normally you would be out for about four weeks after an operation like that," Ward said yesterday. "But there is a woman in Germany who is one of the top surgeons in Europe in her field and I was directed to her. It was just by word of mouth that I heard about her. Michael Owen went to her and so have plenty of other footballers.

"If I'd had it done in England I wouldn't have recovered in time for this game, but I needed to get back quickly so I arranged to have it done by her. They said she was good and they were right - I'm back as quick as she said I would be. She's a bit of a guru, I reckon."

Ward has not played much during the current English season because of injuries and a fall-out with previous QPR coach John Gregory. He aims to fight his way back into the starting side after Australia's campaign for a place at next year's Beijing Olympics ends with Wednesday's away game against North Korea.

"Injuries have been killing me this season," he said. "But now we've got a new owner and a new manager and perhaps those changes will help make a change of luck for me at the club.

"I'm hoping that after these two games with the Olyroos I can go back and get a few games for QPR and show the new people in charge what I can do. It's a tricky time … in the January transfer window the club could go out and buy virtually a whole new team with the resources they've got.

"I've got to assess my future over the next few months, so hopefully the Olyroos matches will get me rolling again … "

Iraq and Australia are level on points but Iraq have a goal differential that is superior by three. Australia can't afford to draw and hope for the best after that, since Iraq will play the bottom team in the group - Lebanon - in their final qualifier. Only the group winner goes to Beijing.

Ward said Olyroos coach Graham Arnold has several plans the team could utilise if they find themselves struggling against Iraq. "We've used three or four different systems during the qualifying series," Ward said. "And Arnie has made sure this week that we've got a lot of options … I'm quietly confident we can get the job done." Brisbane Times