Brad Davis was back on the training pitch Tuesday morning. Unfortunately, it was not for as long as he would have liked.
The left midfielder, who is currently out with a strain in his left calf, participated with the team in the fitness portion of training before retreating to a stationary bike and side work with the club’s medical staff while the team went through small-sided games and drills. Such is life for Davis who, like any player, would much rather be in the mix than watching from the sidelines.
But despite disliking his view alongside the medical staff, the Dynamo's all-time leader in games played is determined that this setback will not cost him any more time than absolutely necessary.
“We were told it is going to be two or three weeks and that’s what we’re looking at,” Davis said, when asked about a timetable to return. “I was able to push the workload a little bit more [Tuesday] but it’s one of those things where you’re walking a fine line with what you can do.
“I’m going to come back as soon as I can. [This weekend’s] possible but if I’m not available for this weekend I’m very confident I’ll be ready for the D.C. [United] game [on April 28].”
With eyes on minimizing the time he is out Davis is taking a practical approach to his rehab. A big part of that is staving off any temptation to push for a return to the field until he is healed 100 percent.
“It’s one of those things where you can wake up one day and think ‘Oh alright I don’t feel anything and it's good.’ But it’s a fine line,” Davis said. “If this really is only a minor two-to-three week injury that’s what I want to keep it at. I don’t want to come back and then make it five or six weeks and keep putting myself in a hole.”
With caution the name of the game, Davis’s Tuesday workout is what he has to look forward to until his calf strain comes around. For his and the team’s sake taking the cautionary approach now is the right step; whether he likes it or not.
“Trust me I don’t like running on the sidelines and doing all this stuff," Davis told MLSsoccer.com after Tuesday’s training. "I want to be part of the team and be out there trying to help my team. I want to get back as fast as anyone wants me to get back.”
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com.
