Chelsea Keeper's Message To Hume

Last updated : 15 November 2008 By Alastair Limb (tykesmad)
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has offered his support to Reds striker Iain Hume in a statement on the Blues' website.

Cech suffered a fractured skull two seasons ago after a clash with Reading's Stephen Hunt and gave this generous message to www.chelseafc.com:

"I would like to wish Iain well on his recovery. I went through a similar experience and if he needs any advice or help at any stage I'm here to offer it.

"What I experienced is that I had to forget about the time it took to recover from the injury. I was not looking at the time, whether it was six months or six weeks. Whatever it took I knew that every day I would have to set up a little target, because every day I wanted to do better than the previous day.

"Sometimes it was hard, because every day I felt differently, but I made the small goals to achieve the big ones, which was to return to the pitch.

Basically, the recovery is like a football game. You need to be careful and concentrate on everything you do, every second, because I think this is the key for the recovery. There will be ups and downs, but Iain has been a professional football player for a long time, and he's got a lot of experience. If he approaches the recovery with the same attitude he would a match he will reach his target.

"Even though sometimes it's really hard to take, because everyone is different and everyone takes to it differently, you really need to listen to your body. When the body told me to stop I knew there was no point doing my programme when I knew it wouldn't be doing any good. So it's important to listen to the body.

"So I wish him well and I am ready to help or offer further advice if he needs it".


Cech now wears the skull cap following his injury