Tue 10th Apr 2007

Dutch midfielder Bobby Petta is itching to get back on the park for Adelaide United but his return is taking longer than expected.

Petta has not played since the first leg of the 2006/07 Hyundai A-League semi final back in January after injuring the plantar fascia (muscle running along the bottom of the foot) in his right foot.

He was set to make his comeback in Adelaide United’s last AFC Champions League game in Vietnam but his foot flared up again the day before the team departed and his return to the pitch has been further delayed.

The recurrence of the foot injury is obviously frustrating for Petta, who is determined to play a part in Adelaide United’s AFC Champions League campaign.

“It has been frustrating because you set yourself a certain date you want to be back and it has been longer than expected,” Petta said after training yesterday.

“You see guys playing and you want to play.”

The skilful former Celtic player has been on a restricted training program, and he will again be missing in action for tomorrow night’s game against Korean champions Seongnam Ilhwa. With the fragility of Petta’s injury, the club is not taking any risks to rush him back in, and Petta believes the healing process is all about time.

“At the moment I’m taking it day by day. I had a bit of a setback a couple of weeks ago before the Vietnam game so it’s getting there but slowly,” Petta said.

Petta’s injury is not all bad news for United, who will welcome back talented duo Diego and Jason Spagnuolo into their squad for Wednesday night’s game.