[h=3]CMS targets August return[/h]9:00am Wednesday 26th June 2013 in Albion By Brian Owen
Mauricio Taricco, left, and Andy Beasley keep an eye on Albion's pre-season work yesterday. Picture by Paul Hazlewood
Albion striker Craig Mackail-Smith has targeted playing time in the first month of the new season as he battles back from injury.
The striker is among Seagulls stars back at work at The Amex this week.
Albion’s players are still waiting to hear who their interim manager will be after Gus Poyet was sacked on Sunday and indicated he planned to appeal against the decision.
His assistant Mauricio Taricco, who was suspended along with Poyet last month but later cleared of any wrongdoing, is among the staff supervising the squad.
Mackail-Smith missed the last 13 matches of the season due to a ruptured Achilles but is on course to start running outdoors in the next fortnight.
He said: “I am doing well. It’s a slow process as we are making sure the foundations are right as you have to make sure the ankle is strong before I put full weight on it.
“My ankle gets stiff in the morning and the evening but that is normal because there has been a big trauma. Once I get going on it then it’s alright. I am walking normally now.
“I am happy with how it is going and I hope to get some minutes on the pitch in August but the main aim is to be fully fit by the end of September. Anything earlier is a bonus.”
Liam Bridcutt, recovering from a foot injury, is due to return to action at some stage in a pre-season programme which culminates with a visit from Norwich on July 30.
Will Hoskins, out of action since February, is already running after surgery to replace his anterior cruciate ligament.
Albion’s players have undergone two days of testing and have the day off today before kicking off pre-season training in earnest tomorrow.
Original article
Albion striker Craig Mackail-Smith has targeted playing time in the first month of the new season as he battles back from injury.
The striker is among Seagulls stars back at work at The Amex this week.
Albion’s players are still waiting to hear who their interim manager will be after Gus Poyet was sacked on Sunday and indicated he planned to appeal against the decision.
His assistant Mauricio Taricco, who was suspended along with Poyet last month but later cleared of any wrongdoing, is among the staff supervising the squad.
Mackail-Smith missed the last 13 matches of the season due to a ruptured Achilles but is on course to start running outdoors in the next fortnight.
He said: “I am doing well. It’s a slow process as we are making sure the foundations are right as you have to make sure the ankle is strong before I put full weight on it.
“My ankle gets stiff in the morning and the evening but that is normal because there has been a big trauma. Once I get going on it then it’s alright. I am walking normally now.
“I am happy with how it is going and I hope to get some minutes on the pitch in August but the main aim is to be fully fit by the end of September. Anything earlier is a bonus.”
Liam Bridcutt, recovering from a foot injury, is due to return to action at some stage in a pre-season programme which culminates with a visit from Norwich on July 30.
Will Hoskins, out of action since February, is already running after surgery to replace his anterior cruciate ligament.
Albion’s players have undergone two days of testing and have the day off today before kicking off pre-season training in earnest tomorrow.
Original article