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#2: JAMES ON THE FOOT, REHAB,
AND THE EUROPEANS…
Fram, in Sunny South of
France, talks to James, in Rainy Leeds
How did the surgery go?
It was virtually two and a half weeks ago, it wasn’t long, it
was maybe an hour’s operation, nothing too major, just the
removal of a bone spur that I had.
It’s been very satisfying lying on my little sofa, with my
little leg up, ordering everyone about. But there comes a time
where, you know, where there is more to life than lying on
sofas, I guess…
No, it’s been a really enjoyable few weeks doing absolutely
nothing!
So, put on weight then?
Oh YES! I probably shifted about three tons of chocolate in the
last three weeks, being the addictive personality that I am,
I’ve got the love handles that are there… But it’s good, it’s
grazing, I call it “the grazing season”…
I heard you went and enjoyed Dublin last weekend?
Yes, we had a great weekend with Vanessa, although it was a bit
disappointing for her as the first day we arrived, she
unfortunately lost, but apart from that, it was a good weekend,
a few days out there relaxing really. We didn’t get involved in
the squash as much which was probably a nice thing, and although
I love watching her play, it certainly didn’t upset me not to go
and watch squash…
Let’s talk about your form then…
I’ve been able to move around a bit, resting mainly but today
was my first day of rehab, and this morning, I had a bit of
physio for the first time, which was good, because it’s amazing
what physios can do these days! It was agony, needless to say…
But I can actually now walk to the kettle and make myself a cup
of tea, which is fantastic and excellent news for me!
Any particular worries?
After the surgery, you still have fears and doubts, with
surgeries there is always an element of risk, it’s never 100%,
and I guess you don’t really know until you get going again… But
I think it was the only thing left to be done, I couldn’t carry
on because it was in my head, and I suppos I’m much more
confident now, having had it done.
Before it was, has it really gone, well it did for a while, then
it came back, and that made the head even worse. Now, we’ve done
a proper surgery, that has given me more confidence, but
obviously I’ll have to be able to move well, and that will give
me even more confidence then…
The right people are behind me, I have probably one of the best
orthopaedic surgeons I could have hoped for, he is based in
Northampton, he has worked on all sorts of sportsmen and women,
he’s got a great track record, and my physio was in no doubt
where to let me go.
When can we hope for you to be back?
In terms of impact work, like running or squash court or
whatever, it will be another four or five weeks I would have
thought, it’s not till the end of the world. I did my first
training session yesterday, it was quite laughable really, I was
hobbling round the gym with the crutches on. But the trainer set
me some very simple work to do, so, I’m already up and running,
but, in terms of movement, that’s a while off yet.
About my return, it’s much about see how it happens, I don’t
want to rush the rehab, it’s a good time to have it, we’ve got
plenty of time, and it’s three or four months now, so it would
be silly to rush it. So, just let it happen.
The injury comes first, but it would be nice to think that I
have a chance to make it hopefully to that World Games in China
in July, and hopefully get the ball rolling in August. If things
go well, I might be able to be up and running by the end of
June, and being able to play French Leagues finals, I’ve got my
team there, I’m really going to try and get there for them,
because I know the team really wants to win it, and I would like
to be able to help.
Are you missing the Europeans?
It’s such an interesting and a social event, I’m sad to miss it,
it’s a good briging together of different teams, you see a lot
of people you don’t normally see when you play on the Tour, so I
miss it, and of course, I wish them luck!
I’m watching, of course, I want them to do as well as they can,
I’ll be at the end of the phone, I’ve spoken to or had texts
from a couple of them, just telling them good luck really.
It will be tough, the French match looks an interesting
prospect, it will be hard, Thierry and Greg are in great form,
so, that’s going to be tough this year, interesting as always,
and I’m wishing all the best luck possible to the England Team,
both men and women.
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The
bus - on the hour every hour from the hotel - takes the players
to the two venues which are being used. 
