Shin-injury hit Indian hockey midfielder Manpreet Singh on recuperation path

Manpreet Singh during happier times

Injuries can be frustrating for any player. And Indian hockey midfielder Manpreet Singh is matured enough to take his injury phase in his stride. The rapidly improving midfielder sustained a shin injury during the Hockey World League Final Round in Belgium and subsequently had to miss the European tour of France and Spain – a trip where the national team won both the Test series.

“I got injured in Belgium and then hit the rehab program in India. I was there at the Shilaroo camp for the European tour with the national team and did not make it to the European tour as my injury had not sufficiently healed to be match-fit,” Manpreet says in an informal chat on the sidelines of the ongoing national camp at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.

The 23-year-old, who is seen as a big hope among the new crop of youngsters in the side is bullish about marking a return to the national fold sooner than later. “I have started training with the team along with my rehab. My head coach has told me to take it easy and not push myself too much in the camp. I will gradually increase the intensity of my training drills as I don’t want to take any chances before our next international tournament.”

India are slated to tour New Zealand for a four-Test series later this month and in all likelihood he will be rested for that series as the Indian head coach Roelant Oltmans has been categorical in saying that Manpreet will be treated with care as the team management have experienced the long haul recovery of such shin injuries in the past with Akashdeep Singh.

One can fathom Manpreet’s enthusiasm to return to the national fold, but the team management is unlikely to risk him given the important tournaments like the Hockey World League Final Round and 2016 Olympics are lined up in the next twelve months or so.

“I’m trying my best to be match-fit. It will take a while for that to happen. As for playing in the upcoming international tournaments, I will leave it to the team management to take a call on it as they are best placed to know the progress of my injury,” he quips.

It may not apt to say that the Indian team missed the presence of Manpreet during the recent European tour but hockey lovers would know that the absence of a player of his calibre will be always felt.