One of the biggest disappointments during last season was the ACL injury to Steven Schumacher, sustained back in November at Bristol Rovers.
The injury came in the final seconds of the game and ended his season right there. Whilst most players are on their holidays at the moment, Schumacher is still working hard at the training ground.
“My season I still on-going. I have got a lot of work to do to get right and get ready for next season which I have been focusing on since December really, ever since I had my operation.
“A lot of the hard work has been done now, the frustrating work anyway,” Schumacher added. “The operation went well and the rehab is long and slow but it is something you have got to try and get through. I am over the hill now and I feel I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am doing more football related work now so it hopefully won’t be too long now I am back to fitness.”
Eager to look ahead to next season, Schumacher says he believes the early business Boro have done to retain key players has been impressive and stands the club in good stead.
“It has been good, yeah. Obviously we know what Charlie and Luke can do and a bunch of other lads were signed up during the season so thankfully it seems we will have a pretty stable squad with our key players from last year which I always think is a good thing.
“When you have too much change it can be difficult to get that continuity you need to be successful. All the best teams I have been in have had the same bunch of lads who all know their roles and their jobs in their team. Hopefully we are more like that this season and we can have a strong pre-season and get off to a good start next year.”
Now well on the road to recovery, Schuey says he can’t wait to get back out onto the pitch and play the game he loves.
“My plan now is to continue working to get fit. I am in with Paul for the majority of the summer but I will still squeeze in a little break with the family too. We have also just moved into the area so it will be a busy summer but it is one I am looking forward to.
"I am dying to get back out there running aorund and kicking a ball again. You don’t realise how much you miss it until you are out with a long term injury.“