Tim Ream’s recovery from a fractured shoulder has made him something of a veteran cheerleader on the sidelines during Fulham’s pre-season tour of his homeland – but the veteran American centre back hopes to return to action next weekend against Hoffenheim.
The 35 year-old gave a brief interview to NBC during the second half of Fulham’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea last night and revealed he wasn’t too far away from full fitness:
“The recovery is going a bit slower than I would like, but you can’t rush a collarbone. I’ve been doing a lot of running and fitness work – we’ll have some more running after this game – and working in consultation with our physios. I’m hoping to get some minutes into my legs next week and be ready for the big kick off [at Everton on August 12].”
Ream, who enjoyed a superb season as Fulham finished tenth on their return to the top flight last term, was challenged by NBC’s co-commentator Robbie Earle on what he felt about the arrival of Calvin Bassey last week.
“It’s competition. Competition makes me play better. I look at Calvin and see a guy who has come in to try and take my spot. It challenges me to be at my best but, at the same time, my role at the moment is to show him how we play, help him get used to our system and the way Marco wants to play. You can look at it two ways, but I think it is a positive.”
Tim Ream – one word: LEGEND!
Tim Ream is by far my favourite player at Fulham and has been for years. His professionalism, loyalty and love for the club is to be admired and cherished, and I fervently hope he hits 10 years at Fulham and is enshrined into the Fulham pantheon. Two more years to go Tim!
Well said Wayne. Ream is the consummate professional and we are lucky to have him.
His injury was his collarbone? I thought it was his arm. Or was it both? Or is the collarbone a new thing??