Video: John Armstrong says Sheffield Steelers' staff managed his injury-recovery well and declares the club is "an option" next season

John Armstrong has revealed he wasn't certain whether he was returning too soon from long term injury - but admitted Sheffield Steelers had managed his convalescence "perfectly."
John ArmstrongJohn Armstrong
John Armstrong

The big centreman missed 25 games with a finger injury suffered against Nottingham Panthers on December 27 and didn't return until the final two games of the regular season at the end of March.Coach Paul Thompson had been hoping to see the player finish off the regular season to see if he merited aplace in the end of season tournament."Thommo really wanted me to get a couple of games in before the play offs" said Armstrong.

" At one point I was kind of on the fence about wanting to do that. But I am really glad that I did."It got me in shape...and he needed to see that I was ready for play offs. I am glad I played those games. The training staff was great with me."Armstrong, 30, is one of the handful of imports Steelers want to talk to about a possible new deal next year."It's always an option" said the forward, speaking before the culling of nine of his import team-mates by theclub."My contract is up this year, I haven't been thinking about it, I know management haven't been talking tomany guys."

It "depends on the offer, depends on the situation" he said - which could imply others are interested in his services.