Solly March made a notable return to Brighton’s starting lineup after a lengthy absence, surprising himself by lasting an hour on the pitch against West Ham. This marked his first start for the team in 553 days, following a series of impressive performances off the bench. March’s return was closely watched as he continues to manage a challenging recovery from knee injuries.
Solly March said: “I thought I gave my all. It is hard to get to the pace of the game with half an hour left. Everyone is on a level playing field from the first minute. I felt better than I thought I would. I got a little knock on my ankle so that probably didn’t help and then a bit of cramp in the calf so it was probably the max I could do. I think 90 minutes is probably still a few weeks off at least, maybe next season, but I probably surprised myself to last 60. I thought maybe 45 would be the max but at half-time I felt all right. It is a long road. This is my third big knee injury. Each time it gets harder and harder and puts more stress on my knee. The knee has probably still got healing to do and it takes years I think to get back to 100%. Even five or six weeks ago my knee was swollen. It is still swollen now so it is just a case of managing it week by week and training as much as I can and then be in a position to play as many minutes as I can at the weekend. I will see how I react after the game and how my knee is in training.”
March’s remarks highlight the ongoing challenges he faces in his recovery journey. Despite the difficulties, his ability to play for an hour is a positive sign for both him and Brighton. The medical team will continue to monitor his knee closely, ensuring that he can train effectively and gradually increase his playing time. March’s resilience and determination are evident as he works towards regaining full fitness, aiming to contribute significantly to Brighton’s campaign in the coming weeks.
