By:
Graeme Hanna
Robbie Brady is said to be ‘feeling great’ in his recovery from a persistent calf injury, as he races against the clock to be fit for the World Cup playoffs.
The update was provided by Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom, who also revealed that the enthusiastic 33-year-old is being held back from himself so that he doesn’t attempt too much, too soon.
Robbie Brady last featured for Preston in May, last season, while his last outing for the Republic of Ireland was in June’s friendly double header against Senegal and Luxembourg.
After it was announced in September that he required surgery to fix the calf problem, Brady missed the entirety of the World Cup qualification campaign, but there is an outside chance that the Dubliner can make the squad for the clash against the Czech Republic on March 26.
Heimir Hallgrimsson will be hopeful that an experienced campaigner like Robbie Brady will be available for the World Cup playoff, but the next few weeks will be crucial.
Robbie Brady ‘held back for his own good’
The left-back will need to be featuring for Heckingbottom’s Lilywhites into late February and March to have any chance of getting on the plane to Prague, but the Deepdale boss revealed he is not far away.
As reported by the Lancashire Evening Post, he said that “(Brady is) progressing well.
“He’s probably getting held back for his own good by the medical team, because he’s feeling great.
“I know he’s frustrated, he wants to be out there, but at least he’s running now. He’s making good strides and I always remember that feeling when you’re coming back from injuries.
“When you get out on the grass it’s good and then all of a sudden you get bored of running, you want to get a ball,” added Heckingbottom.
The 72-times capped Robbie Brady still has plenty to offer on the international stage, but to make an impact, he needs to prove his fitness.
Now into the second half of the season, time isn’t on his side, but he will need to be patient and avoid any setbacks if he is to make a meaningful contribution for Preston or Ireland in the coming months.
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