Purches: Experience can help me get over it

AFC Bournemouth utility player Stephen Purches believes his experience has helped him get through his long recovery programme.

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.

After a period of walking without crutches with the aid of an air boot, he has now began to walk without the boot, with the help of crutches.

He is also exercising by swimming and using an exercise bike, but no timescale has been given on a possible return date.

Purches told the Daily Echo...

'...If you are going to do it, I think you are better off doing it nearer the end of your career because the experience that has brought me to this point can help me get over it and get through it.

"The hardest part for me will be that I have never missed a pre-season. That is when everyone comes back and the games start and that is probably when it will hit me a bit more.

"But while I am away from football and feeling like I am not missing out on everything, it is a bit easier."

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