Purches: Everything is on track

AFC Bournemouth utility player Stephen Purches is pleased with his progress from injury.

During the opening moments of the game against Rochdale on 18th February, Purches suffered a double leg break following an innocuous 50/50 challenge with Rochdale's Jason Kennedy.

Purches broke his tibia and fibula in the challenge and was taken straight to Royal Oldham Hospital.

24 hours later Purches had an operation to insert a metal plate into the leg and thankfully, that surgery went well and he soon returned to Bournemouth to begin his recuperation at home.

Purches is now walking without crutches with an air boot and over the next few weeks he hopes to take another step forward.

Purches told afcb.co.uk...

'Everything is on track. I went to see the specialist recently and he said I have to come off the crutches for the next four weeks and wear the air boot when I walk around. I'll then come out of the air boot and back on the crutches again for two weeks and then hopefully at the start of pre-season, I'll be able to walk freely again...'

'...once pre-season starts, I think that's when it will hit me that I still have a fair way to go until I can get back out there. I don't feel that I'm missing out on anything at the moment!'

'...I will know when things are right. It is little steps right now and I am keeping on course to get back out there, which I'm desperate to do. I know I don't have time on my side like I had back then (when he was younger), but I have learnt how to manage myself and I believe I can come back stronger.'

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