Clarky catches up with Shrewsbury favourite Rodgers

Clarky catches up with Shrewsbury favourite Luke Rodgers as he continues his recovery from a knee injury

It's not quite gone according to plan so far this season for Luke Rodgers. The 22-year-old was the talk of the town last season after his virtuoso performance sent Everton crashing out of the FA Cup, however 12 months down the line Shrewsbury crashed out of the Football League and into the Conference and the prolific pocket dynamo has found the goals have dried up. He made an appearance for the England Game XI and scored in a 2-2 draw against Belgium's Under-20 outfit at The Reynolds Arena, but the man who was touted to be one of the top scorers this season has bagged only nine and finds himself ten behind top scorer, Guiliano Grazioli. To compound Rodgers' frustration the club rejected a close season bid for him from Crewe and he has tweaked a medial ligament in his knee, which means he hasn't played since December 14th. With Shrewsbury desperately trying to bounce back at the first attempt he has been sorely missed. Ian Clarkson caught up with Rodgers and Phil Newton from Lilleshall Hall to find out what his injury problems are and when the Gay Meadow faithful can expect to see him back in a blue and amber shirt.

HOW DOES THE INJURY FEEL?

LR: It is coming along really well. I did it three weeks ago and it has been a real pain, as it hasn't felt quite the same since. I actually kicked someone instead of the ball!  It was then diagnosed as a medial ligament strain, but during the past three weeks the work has gone really well and I would like to pay tribute to my physiotherapist here, Steve Briggs, who really has been top man and made me feel a lot better.

WHEN DID THE PROBLEMS START?

PN: Luke's problems started about six weeks ago when he was struggling with his hamstring and when he was about three or four weeks into his rehabilitation on that he managed to tweak his medial ligaments.

WHAT SORT OF WORK HAVE YOU BEEN DOING?

LR: The training has been really hard and we have been dong a lot of swimming and bike riding from nine till five, as well as undertaking a lot of strengthening and friction work on and around the damaged area. I have never had a season like this before where I have picked up niggling injuries and hopefully this stint at Lilleshall will help.

PN: He has been doing a lot of pitch work as well as strengthening around his thigh area to help the hamstring.  He is nearly at the end of his programme and I think Shrewsbury sent him to us for a change of scenery."

WHEN DO YOU THINK YOU MIGHT BE FIT AGAIN?

LR: I don't think I am too far away and we will see what today and tomorrow bring, but there might be a chance that I can be fit for Saturday's game against Morecambe in the FA Trophy.

PN: He should definitely be back in full training next week, but when he goes back to Shrewsbury, which will probably be on Friday, he will have to discuss whether or not he feels up to playing at the weekend.  It is conceivable that he could be playing on Saturday.