Swansea Boss Plans Bodde Comeback Next Season

Swansea City boss Brendan Rodgers says Ferrie Bodde won't be in his first team plans this season, as he continues his recovery from a long-term knee ligament problem.

The Dutch midfielder's injury nightmare started back in November 2008 in a home match against Birmingham City, when he first suffered the injury. After two failed comebacks, a return to first team football was looking highly unlikely for the talented midfielder.

However, Swansea City's medical and management team have shown great faith in Bodde, but despite him playing 45 minutes in a recent friendly match against Hereford United, Rodgers told Swansea Sound that he's not planning on playing him until next season.

The Swansea City is certainly in no rush to bring him back, considering his previous two attempts to return.

'Physcologically it's a difficult time for Ferrie, but he's worked ever so hard.'

'The medical team here have been absolutely magnificent. He's had ups and downs along the way, I've tried to ensure that we haven't rushed him and his rehabilitation because of the nature of his injury and the time he's had out.'

'It was going to be very important that we looked after him, but he was at the stage where he was ready for football, he'd been training for the last 3 or 4 weeks.'

'He's come through the 45 minutes yesterday, and demonstrated a wonderful range of pass and some great qualities that he has.'

'For me there's no great expectation on him for this season. I think if we can get him back fully fit between now and the end of the season, and then hopefully in pre-season we'll have a top player back in our ranks.'

'Like I say, I just want him to get match fit, that's the most important thing, then we can look beyond that.'

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