Excellent article on Harry written by David Lewis
HARRY Kewell will have to spend his 28th birthday away from the people he loves as a team of the nation's best medical minds seek to put him back together again.
The Australia and Liverpool midfield player, who celebrates his birthday next Friday, faces the prospect of surgery to fix his Achilles tendon, big toe and groin.
Kewell said his wife Sheree and their two children, whom he has left behind in Cheshire, England, have kept him sane through a horror run of injuries and ill-fated comebacks.
Unsighted for club or country since scoring the goal that gave Australia a place in the last 16 of the World Cup in Germany, Kewell is back in Australia looking for answers to his baffling array of injuries.
"My wife has put up with a lot. The last thing the family wants around the house is a whingeing footballer," he said.
"The treatment I've been going through back in Liverpool hasn't been much fun, but I always get a massive lift when I open the door at home and my kids (son Taylor, 5, and daughter Ruby, 3) welcome me and jump all over me."
Much to Kewell's delight, Taylor has expressed a desire to play for Australia rather than England, the country of his birth.
"I don't think he quite understands what he's saying but it's good to hear," says Kewell, whose form in Germany won over those who believed his heart never fully belonged to his homeland.
"The great thing about the kids is that they help you forget about football.
"Things have played on my mind and they've helped me focus on something else. Taylor attends special soccer classes at school and he's got a good right foot, whereas I've always been a leftie. He loves the game and that's all that matters at this stage.
"Ruby takes more after her mum, she's very outgoing and confident and loves dressing up. She's a proper little girl.
"It's been a tough time for my family in Australia, too (mum Helen, dad Rod, sister Jacqueline and brother Rod Jnr) It's been difficult, but we're slowly getting to the bottom of things and hopefully there will soon be some answers."
Kewell is "missing my family to bits" as he criss-crosses Australia while a collection of top physicians work together under the Commonwealth's chief medical officer.
At the last count, Project Rebuilding Harry included a hip specialist, an orthopaedic surgeon and a body balancing guru, among a host of other experts.
The aim is to have the most gifted player this country has produced on the pitch with Liverpool before Christmas. But until several findings are handed down next week, Kewell is clueless as to when he will be permitted to return to full training. It's possible he could stay in Australia for surgery.
"I'm confident I'm seeing the right people and Liverpool have also been fantastic during this saga," Kewell said.
ANFIELD ANGST
While underlining the role played by Socceroos physio Les Gelis in his recuperation, Kewell also admitted he might have left Liverpool and been trapped in a career cul-de-sac if not for coach Rafael Benitez.
"He backed me to the hilt when people questioned my desire. He's been my No.1 fan," he said.
"I might not be at Anfield without his backing. He's played me in the big games and all I want is to go out and play for him because of what he's done for me."
SOCCEROOS
Kewell will be 32 when the next World Cup rolls around but believes he may have enough fuel in the tank for this one and 2014.
"Why not?" he said. "The desire is there. I definitely have one left in me and hopefully two. Time will tell. They are the games you live for and I'm looking forward to 2010 already."
And his view of possibly being Australia's next captain?
"If it comes along it would be a massive honour. It's not my call but if the boss thinks I'm the right man to do it, so be it."
ROAD BACK
Kewell is scornful of those who claim he may never recapture his magic.
"I know what I'm capable of and the easiest way to answer people is to prove it on the pitch," he said. "I still think my best years are ahead of me. Once I'm fully fit I'll show a lot of people - I'm very confident in my ability.
Harry Kewell - excellent article
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No - he will keep playing for Australia.
What you may have heard was that he was going to need to take it easy getting over his injuries which meant he may not play many games for Australia going forward ie only play in the big games.
But it sounds like his whole career is on the line.
Paul Okon had similar issues with injuries at a similar age and it took him a couple years to get over them - found he had a mis-aligned hip - one leg being slightly longer than the other I heard.
What you may have heard was that he was going to need to take it easy getting over his injuries which meant he may not play many games for Australia going forward ie only play in the big games.
But it sounds like his whole career is on the line.
Paul Okon had similar issues with injuries at a similar age and it took him a couple years to get over them - found he had a mis-aligned hip - one leg being slightly longer than the other I heard.
