Reyna out to make up for lost time

Claudio Reyna is hoping for the chance to take a year of frustration out on Bolton tomorrow.

The Manchester City star has endured a nightmare campaign, restricted to just one substitute appearance in five months after failing to get over a long-term groin problem.

Only in the past fortnight, after coming through a couple of reserve-team appearances unscathed, has the former Rangers and Sunderland midfielder convinced himself the problem is not going to return.

With City’s squad severely depleted by injury and suspension, Reyna is hoping he will be handed an opportunity to banish the memories of a winter he would prefer to forget.

“It has been a difficult period for me,” he said.

“At times I was pretty down, because I just didn’t know how long it would take before I could play again.

“I suffered the injury; then I did it again and again on two further occasions.

“In the end it becomes a mental thing. You speak to so many people and get so many opinions. It takes its toll, which is why I am so pleased to be back.”

The groin problem is the latest in a succession of problems which have blighted Reyna’s career over the past three seasons.

His last year at Sunderland was wrecked by a cruciate ligament problem which needed surgery, and the USA captain has been restricted to just 31 starts since joining the Blues in August 2003.

“Until I was 28, I never had a problem,” said the 31-year-old.

“But after my knee surgery, it seems like I have had a series of problems and constantly been in and out of the side.

“I am still not 100% in terms of physical conditioning. But my injury feels okay, and I am also over the mental side – which is the last and biggest hurdle.

“I would be lying if I said it hasn’t been at the back of my mind that the groin might go again – but what has pleased me recently is that I have finished a training session or a game and realised that I haven’t been thinking about it.

“At this level, you cannot afford to go into a game thinking you might get injured.”

Although City boss Kevin Keegan has insisted he will not rush Reyna’s recovery, with Joey Barton suspended it would be a major surprise if the American did not partner Paul Bosvelt in the City engine room.

Barton is one of seven men missing from an already thin squad, and the defensive reshuffle required to cope with the absence of left-backs Ben Thatcher and Stephen Jordan will see David Sommeil handed his first senior action since a substitute appearance in the Carling Cup romp over Barnsley in September.

Knee injury victim Shaun Wright-Phillips is the most notable missing person from a City side who will move up to ninth – just three points and three places adrift of a certain European spot – if they can record a second successive Premiership double over Sam Allardyce’s men.

As the heartbeat and major creative influence in the Blues camp, the England man – as Reyna acknowledges – will be badly missed.

But he also feels there is enough talent available to secure victory and ensure City still have something to play for when Wright-Phillips returns at the end of April.

“Everyone knows the impact and importance Shaun has on this team,” said Reyna.

“He is a fantastic player.

“But we have a lot of very promising young players looking for the chance to perform at this level.

“When you mix those lads together with the experienced players it could be quite exciting. While ideally you want your strongest team out in an important game like this, I don’t think we should be too despondent.”