Steven Gerrard is delighted with the progress Diego Carlos is making as he steps up his recovery from the devastating injury he suffered back in August. Carlos ruptured his Achilles tendon during Aston Villa’s 2-1 win over Everton which was his home debut following a £26million switch from Sevilla in the summer. Though, Gerrard is hopeful that the centre-back will still be able to play a fair chunk of the campaign. Asked by BirminghamLive if there was a more accurate timeline for Carlos’ return, ]
Steven Gerrard said: “Not in terms of a day or a week or a time but he’s off crutches and he’s out of a boot now. So he’s able to up his gym work, up his rehab. He can get about, he’s more mobile. His English is fantastic which will help. He’s having lessons every day he’s in here and so he’s communicating more. When he comes back he’ll feel like a proper Villa player not a new Villa player. So we’re pushing him in every department we can. In terms of the injury and progress, when you don’t see the crutches or the protective boot he looks a bit closer to being a player again, so that’s positive for him.”
After it was confirmed that Carlos would spent the majority of the season out injured, Gerrard insisted that the Brazilian still had a key role to play.
Steven Gerrard said: “It’s certainly a blow to lose a player of his importance. Each day that passes he’s closer to a return, and we’ll give him all the patience and support he needs from a medical point of view. It’s important that he stays in amongst the group because he’s still got a part to play. That’s something which is forgotten in football: injured players taking a back seat. I don’t want that to be the case. I want him to be very much involved in the dressing room and to show his leadership skills.”
Asked about how he has taken on his ‘new’ role away from the grass,
Steven Gerrard said: “He does it without me saying it, he’s a natural leader. He’ll be a big, big player for this club, I’ve no doubts.”
