Ralph Hasenhuttl
FIT-AGAIN Oriol Romeu was pleased to put his injury setback behind him before the end of the Premier League season – but admitted it was tough to watch Saints struggle in his absence. The Spanish midfielder had been sidelined since February with a fractured ankle, sustained in a 3-0 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road. Asked about his return,
Oriol Romeu said: “I’m happy to be back yes and being able to play a few minutes is a nice thing. But I was not that happy with the result and the way it went. We have conceded many goals, we conceded many chances and we haven’t pushed them, probably. A bit disappointed in that way. But it’s a good message to make sure we first of all relax in the summer, have a few weeks to live and have a good rest – but also to start thinking ‘what can we do better next season?’.”
Since Romeu sustained his ankle problem, Saints lost nine of their 14 league contests to finish the campaign – picking up 13 points from a possible 42. Quizzed on what it was like to watch his team-mates struggle,
Oriol Romeu said: “Being injured is the worst thing as a football player. Once you are not playing it’s the worst thing you can have. When you see the team not enjoying it, it’s even worse but it’s part of the game as well. You need to get through that recovery and make sure you come back in the best way you can. Now the following six weeks are going to be crucial for us to start the pre-season in a good way and the season afterwards.”
