Injured France skipper uncertain of Six Nations comeback
The Toulouse lock has been out of action since sustaining an ankle injury in a Heineken Cup match against Llanelli Scarlets on December 16.
He was initially expected to return by the start of the Six Nations, but delays in his recovery meant he was ruled out of the first two games of the tournament, against Italy and Ireland.
The 33-year-old, who needs two more caps to eclipse Philippe Sella’s record of 111 appearances for Les Bleus, does not even know if he will be back at all.
“I know nothing,” he said when asked if he would be making an appearance in the 2007 Six Nations.
“I really hope so, but I have not given myself a target date so as not to disappoint myself. I am on the same programme as the others, but only until they go running. Then I go on the bike, do weights, go swimming. But I mustn’t run.”
Pelous admitted his ankle injury was worse than he first thought, and felt his comeback date was a little optimistic.
“I thought I would be able to tend to it in a month and a half, but that was a little too advanced,” he said.
“It is a very big sprain, and I am just waiting. I can’t run because that inflames my posterior muscle in my leg. The ankle is unstable and sets off an inflammatory shoot of pain.”
The Les Bleus skipper is trying to remain upbeat, and insists suffering injuries comes with the territory for high-level sportsmen.
“There is frustration, of course,” he conceded. “But I am trying to stay calm.
“I don’t feel old. There are players who are 25, who have arthritis and tendinitis. That isn’t the case for me. I am not 60, but 33.”
In Pelous’ absence, France have won their opening two Six Nations games — beating Italy 39-3 and Ireland 20-17, both away from home.
Pelous has been impressed with the displays of Les Bleus so far.
“The first two matches have been well mastered by us,” he added. “We have succeeded in defending well, away from home. I never felt the team was really in danger.”
Meanwhile, England prop Andrew Sheridan could return to action this weekend — a month ahead of schedule.
Sheridan suffered a broken ankle during England’s autumn Test victory over South Africa at Twickenham.
And he is back in full training, with a possibility he might be involved during Sale Sharks’ Guinness Premiership clash against Adams Park hosts Wasps on Sunday.
Sale coach, Kingsley Jones, said: “It is great to see him back in full training. He has done contact all week, and there is a possibility he might play at the weekend.
“We don’t want to rush him back too quick. His return has given the team a real boost, though.”
Sheridan’s England colleague, Mark Cueto, is expected to make his first Sale appearance following a two-month absence because of groin and calf muscle problems.
The powerful wing featured in England Saxons’ impressive victory over Ireland A last Friday, and could yet mount a challenge to be part of the senior team’s RBS Six Nations campaign.
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