LUCA STEPPING BACK TO FITNESS

Luca Koleosho says he’s taking one step at a time on his path back to fitness… but can’t wait until he’s allowed to run and help his teammates again!

The talented teenager injured his knee in the match against Wolves back in December and has just returned to Burnley after a trip to America as part of his recovery plan.

Until that moment at Molineux, he’d managed fifteen first team appearances and scored in his penultimate game against Sheffield United – his first goal in a Burnley shirt.

After a successful operation, he’s got the opportunity for some warm weather training. Spending a few weeks back in his home country…

“I’ve been in Miami. In the city, so it was really close to everything – including the beach which was good! The change has been good too – but I was always looking forward to being back in Burnley!

“I got to do some training at the beach, spending a little bit of time in the sunshine and staying really positive!

“Most importantly, I was doing lots of hard work to help get me back to fitness.

The hard work took place at a medical rehab facility in the heart of Miami but with close and constant contact to the Burnley medical staff back in Lancashire.

“The staff talked to Rhodesy [Dave Rhodes, Head of Medicine, Performance and Innovation) and Phil [Pomeroy, Head Physiotherapist] regularly. They made sure whatever Burnley needed me to do – I worked on that. Just fine-tuning stuff. It worked because I feel good!

“I’ve been restricted to exactly what I can up to now because of the operation, but I’m doing lots of lifting, pool work and field work – like sleds and mechanics – so I’m ready for when I can start to run.

“That means working on getting stronger around my knee, in my hips and upper body. Keeping everything balanced and it feels good!”

As the road to recovery continues, he says he’s making good progress – but not getting carried away!

“Obviously, I want to start playing again but I’m also kind of calm. I’m just waiting for them to give me the green light in the next couple of weeks to start running so I can get nearer to playing again.

“I’m not one for looking at timetables though – they just cloud my head!”

His mother, Melissa, is a physio so has been able to add an extra layer of calming influence on Luca. Helping him acclimatise for the first few days at the facility.

“I got to fly home [to Connecticut] first to get some belongings before I went to Miami. It’s only a two hour flight from Florida so I was able to see my friends and family.

“My mom came with me for the first couple of days and helped me get settled before she went back home. She’s always a really big help!”

Now he’s back in Burnley he is looking forward to being re-united with his teammates – especially Aaron Ramsey to help with his recovery too after his injury in the match against Arsenal…

“I messaged Rambo and spoke to him a bit after he got hurt. I asked him if he was ok and stuff.

“I said BE READY FOR REHAB WITH US!! That’s gonna be funny!! Every day is going to be just something else in that rehab room I swear! He’s gonna be my new gym buddy!

“But in all seriousness, I’ve missed football massively. I have to be so much more cautious about stuff right now. I can’t just run, or jump! I can only walk… that’s just so boring!!

“It’s so frustrating!! But it is what it is. I’m sure I’ll appreciate everything even more when I can get back to doing them!”