Ben Kennedy says his recovery from knee surgery is on track and he hopes to be available to play in four weeks’ time.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets goalkeeper Ben Kennedy says his recovery from knee surgery is on track and he hopes to be available to play in four weeks- time.
Kennedy had went under the knife in late October to repair his damaged right knee, but says he is already well on his way to being fully recovered.
“It-s coming along well. I saw the surgeon yesterday and he-s pretty happy with how it-s going,” Kennedy said.
“Hopefully I-ll be back playing in four weeks. Obviously we-ll just see how it goes, but at the moment everyone is pretty happy with how it-s coming along including our physio.
“I-m just looking forward to working each day, getting better and hopefully I-ll be back sooner rather than later.”
The 25-year-old shot stopper signed a new two-year deal with the Jets on Thursday and said he was glad to have his future secured.
“It-s good to get it over and done with, the contract was up at the end of the season, but it-s all sorted out now and I-m just looking forward to getting back out on the field,” he said.
“Obviously, being a local boy I-ve always wanted to stay in Newcastle, it-s my hometown Club and all my friends and family are still here.
“It-s always good playing in front of them and to be honest I don-t know if I could imagine playing for another A-League side so Newcastle is always my first choice.”
Kennedy was Newcastle-s Player of the Year in 2011/12 and he said he was happy the Club had kept faith in him, despite his recent injury.
“I was always confident I would get re-signed. I felt with my season last year I had done pretty well. I was looking forward to this year and doing even better,” he said.
“Unfortunately I got the injury, but I-m working my way back to fitness, doing all the right things rehab-wise and hopefully I-ll be back soon.
“It-s very important that the Club has stayed behind me. They could have easily said that-s it and not re-signed me. They-ve showed faith and I-ll be looking to repay that faith in the next couple of years.”
With Mark Birighitti showing good form between the sticks in recent weeks, Kennedy said he knows it will be no easy take to break back into the Jets- starting line-up when he returns from injury.
“He-s doing really well at the moment so obviously it-s going to be hard to get back in there and while the team-s winning, you wouldn-t want to change the side.”
Kennedy will miss this Sunday-s match against the Wellington Phoenix at Hunter Stadium.
Match details:
Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix
Hunter Stadium
Sunday, November 18
Kick-off 3pm (Gates open 2pm)
Tickets available from PROticket
Following the conclusion of Sunday-s fixture, children will have the opportunity to have a kick-around on the Hunter Stadium turf.
