Teamwork in rehab: András Schäfer in focus

On day four of Union's training camp in Campoamor, Spain, attacking midfield whirlwind András Schäfer - one of the real breakout players of the last year - continued to work on his comeback. After a heartbreaking foot injury sustained in the Europa League match at Royale Union Saint-Gilloise at the beginning of November and subsequent surgery, the Hungarian started rehab immediately, and now he continues it under the Spanish sun.

Early morning without worries

Together with rehab coach Johannes Thienel, Union's number 13 started shortly after breakfast with a first appearance on the pitch. The goal was and is always to check whether previous runs and initial exercises with the ball have caused any strain in the affected foot. Since this was not the case, Schäfer's next treatment with the physiotherapists followed after short sprints with some passing and shooting exercises on the pitch. c

Then on the table under the meticulous hands of masseur Thomas Riedel, it was a matter of freeing the body from the stresses and strains of the past few days and observing how the reconstruction of his muscles was progressing. It's always a case of small steps, of easing your way back in.

Schäfer's morning program lasted until about 12 noon and was rounded off by a short interview with AFTV.

Meal and strength time

Following lunch with the rest of the team, there was a brief opportunity to recover before heading to the hotel's well stocked weight room, together with coach Thienel. Under his strict gaze, the midfielder completed numerous exercises designed to build up muscle while testing its stability at the same time. After 45 minutes, this strenuous training session was also over and András was allowed to take a break. That smile of his, though never far away, even through the frustrations and difficulties of rehab, could break out again as it always does during the best of times on and off the pitch.

Quote of the day: "Scoring goals is not my job." - András after a missed shot in the first training session.