Nowland Battles Against Injury

Adam Nowland is tearing his hair out, as he has to watch Nottingham Forest in their relegation battle from the sidelines. The 23-year-old was brought in from West Ham for £250,000 in November, but has only appeared in five games due to a hamstring injury. To try and speed up his recovery he has been sent to Lilleshall Hall where he has been working under the guidance of Phil Newton and his team for the last week. And while they are working at the root of the problem, it looks as though Nowland may well be snookered for the rest of the season. The only silver lining on Nowland's dark cloud is that he has two years left on his contract so he has time to get his hamstring problem solved once and for all. Ian Clarkson went to Lilleshall Hall to speak to Nowland exclusively about his injury frustrations and when he hopes to return.


QWHAT IS THE INJURY YOU HAVE SUFFERED?
AIt is a recurring hamstring injury. The physios at Nottingham Forest have done a lot of rehabilitation work on it but four or five times I have been on the verge of playing again and a little niggle has stopped me. It has been an extremely frustrating period for me.

QWHAT WAS THE DIAGNOSIS AT LILLESHALL?
AI explained to Phil what was happening and he reckons that the hamstring needs reconditioning. It is very weak on the left hand side and about half the strength of my right hamstring. This is obviously leading to lots of pulls because the area isn't strong enough. I'd like to be playing in about one month or two.

QWHAT KIND OF WORK HAVE YOU BEEN DOING?
AThere has been a lot of swimming and bike work, which has been very harsh! I have also done a lot of core stability and stretching exercises, which has also been tough. We are working on improving the core stability in my lower back area. I think I will be here for another week, which should be a killer.

QWHAT HAS BEEN THE ADVICE BEEN REGARDING PLAYING AGAIN?
AThey have drawn up a sheet for me with a structured rehabilitation programme on it that I can continue when I leave Lilleshall. There are only about eight weeks left of this season and Phil has said that he doesn't want me to kick a ball for two months but instead, wants me to strengthen my hamstring region. It is disappointing news for me but sensible advice.

QYOU HAVE ONLY PLAYED FIVE GAMES SINCE YOU ARRIVED AT FOREST – I TAKE IT YOU ARE DESPERATE TO HELP THEM IN THEIR CURRENT PLIGHT WHICH MAKES IT EVEN MORE FRUSTRATING?
AI am desperate to play and try and help the team in our current situation. If my contract was up at the end of the season then you could probably do some long-term damage by trying to play when you shouldn't. At least I know I can get my hamstring right, but I still wish I was playing.

QWHAT ARE YOUR IMPRESSIONS OF THE STAFF AT LILLESHALL?
APhil knows his stuff and after my initial consultation with him I felt very comfortable working with him. The work we do is of the highest quality and they always introduce an element of completion and fun to make the week more enjoyable. I think a good way to describe the week would be fun, forfeits and fitness.

Q WOULD YOU USE THE FACILITIES AT LILLESHALL AGAIN?

A I was a bit worried before I came as I had heard that it was going to be really hard. However, not only have the physiotherapists made it enjoyable but I have been helped by the fact that there are eight or nine other players in the same boat here as well. It means that you are all working for the same goal – to be back playing again – and the camaraderie is excellent.