Sport

Kwesi Mugisa, Gleaner Writer

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida:

Having fully recovered from a horrific knee injury that kept him sidelined for 10 months, Reggae Boy Omar Daley believes he is well on the way to getting back to his best.

Daley picked up the injury while playing for England League Two outfit, Bradford City, in December of last year.

A quicker recovery had been expected after initial scans and evaluation by the surgeon proved that damage was worse than initially thought.

"I'm just glad to be playing football again, I give God thanks. It was a career-threatening injury and I am just happy to have recovered," Daley told The Gleaner in Fort Lauderdale, ahead of the Reggae Boyz friendly international against Peru at Lockhart Stadium last night.

Initially, it had been thought that the winger had only damaged the lateral ligament in his knee. But it was later found that damage was done to the cruciate ligament as well.

"It's all right now, but it's not an easy injury to recover from, I still have to do some rehab at the club (Bradford)," he pointed out. "It was very frustrating being out for so long, but I'm just happy to be back and looking forward to the future."

Recalled to the national squad

Known for blistering pace and a fierce right boot, the 28-year-old, who represented Jamaica's under-20s at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina, was recently recalled to the national squad after almost two years out of action.

Having made the transition to being a senior member in the current set-up, he believes the current crop of players have a lot of potential and are eager to do well.

"We have a lot of young talent in the squad right now and they are ambitious. They want to do well and they are hungry for success," said Daley, who made his official return as a substitute against Costa Rica in Sunday's friendly international at the National Stadium, when the Boyz won 1-0.

The appearance marked the winger's 57th international showing for Jamaica and he has scored five goals to date.

Daley is also focused on representing his club this season. The player has made three appearances for his club so far this season - two league and one Carling Cup - and is eager to get back to the top of his game, which could only be good news for the struggling Bantams.

Bradford have had a tough start to the season, having been knocked out of the Carling Cup by Preston North End. They are currently 22nd in the standings, having won one game and lost four.

" I am definitely working hard and looking forward to repaying my club for all the confidence they have shown in me throughout my injury," said Daley. "I definitely still have a lot to offer, I am not yet at my sharpest but I am looking forward to getting back to my best."