The long road to recovery a familiar journey for John Egan

ROAD TO RECOVERY: John Egan teams up with Pringles to give Irish football fans a reason to celebrate this summer. Pic Credit: Ryan Byrne. Inpho.

Unfortunately for John Egan, this isn’t the first major injury of his career.

It’s approaching nine months since the Cork native suffered a blow to his Achilles which has kept him out of action for Sheffield United and the Republic of Ireland ever since.

But it’s also approaching 12 years since the centre-back broke his leg during a spell at Bradford City, where he was on loan from Sunderland.

While the injuries may differ in severity, the experience has some similarities which Egan has used to his advantage as he plots another return to full fitness.

“We were playing West Ham away and I just went up for a header, I went to push off and felt something," says the 31-year-old, who has teamed up with Pringles to celebrate the unwavering passion of Irish football fans, on his current injury issue.

"It felt like a kick in the back of the leg. Originally the plan was not to operate but then after two weeks we decided with the surgeon to do an operation, just to make sure everything will go according to plan.

“He was very good, and the operation was successful, and the rehab has been a good challenge, one I've faced head on. I'm looking forward to getting back on the pitch and being as fit and ready as possible for pre-season.

“When I was 20, I broke my leg, so I was out for roughly a year with that one. I think that experience has definitely stood to me this time. The hardest thing after you have an operation and face a long time on the sidelines is being patient.

“So, I suppose at the start you are very down but once you accept the challenge and attack it head on it makes it easier.

“Once you are patient with timelines, ticking boxes and setting small goals it helps. You just have to trust the process really.”

FLYING IT: Irish international football star, John Egan, who has teamed up with Pringles. Pic Credit: Ryan Byrne.

Egan successfully navigated the crossroads in his career that the broken leg produced to ultimately reach the Premier League with Sheffield United, as well as winning 36 caps with Ireland.

But now he is faced with another dilemma. Egan’s contract at the Blades has now expired but he remains in talks over extending his six-year stay at Bramall Lane while he completes his rehabilitation in Sheffield.

The defender is now free to speak to other clubs though and it is also believed that two Premier League clubs, in particular, are hoping to secure his services and keep him in the top-flight of English football.

“Where I stand, I suppose is making sure I'm fully fit for pre-season,” insists Egan.

“Those talks are going on in the background, they are above my head. For the last few months now, I've just been gearing myself towards getting fully fit for pre-season.

“I'm in a great place now and I'm doing a lot of work with Sheffield, the staff, and doing a lot of good training. That's been at the forefront of my mind, getting back fully fit.

“Most of these things are out of my hands. As a player, all I can do is focus on getting my body up to speed.

“Them talks will be going on in the background and when the time comes, when there is an offer or a decision to be made, everything gets weighed up.

“My main goal now is to keep going with my training and keep working really hard and when the time comes where a decision has to be made, a decision will be made.

"Ideally, I would like to have something sorted soon.”

Once his club future is resolved and his full fitness has been restored, Egan’s aim will surely be to reclaim his place in the Republic of Ireland side.

But by the time England arrive in Dublin for Boys in Green’s next clash – the UEFA Nations League opener in September – he may have a new manager to try an impress.

Or it could still be John O’Shea at the helm, whom Egan knows very well.

“I’ve known John a long time, from when I signed for Sunderland,” he continues.

“His playing career speaks for itself, whether it’s the games he’s played for Ireland or Manchester United, the trophies he’s won.

“I know from watching the games that everyone is enjoying working with him. I’m delighted he got the chance, he’s a legend of Irish football, and he’s a very proud Irishman.

“I worked with him when he was a coach with Ireland too. He’s got unbelievable experience and he’s a legend of the game who commands respect wherever he goes.

I think that would be best for everybody, to have clarity. There is not really too much more to say about that. It speaks for itself."