Sheffield Wednesday in Portugal: Owls ace allays fitness fears

Attacking midfielder Adam Reach has told The Star he is over his injury problems and ready to help fire the Owls to the Premier League.
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Reach missed the final two fixtures of the 2018/19 season because of a knee issue.

But the 26-year-old, who claimed nine goals as Wednesday secured a top-half finish last term, said: "I am fine now. I went for a scan about a week ago and my knee has mended like it should have done so I am delighted with that.

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"I had to take it easy over the summer and make sure that my knee was fully back to 100 per cent but I am ready to go again."

Adam Reach in pre-season training action in PortugalAdam Reach in pre-season training action in Portugal
Adam Reach in pre-season training action in Portugal

There were fears in some quarters that Reach would need surgery to fix the problem.

He said: "We weren't quite sure what it was before I went for a scan.

"Thankfully, surgery wasn't an option for it.

"I am delighted to be back and fully fit for pre-season because I think if you are not quite fully fit you always seem to be chasing your fitness before the games start.

"I am 100 per cent ready to go."

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Reach and his team-mates returned for pre-season last week. After two days of fitness testing and Owls in the Park, Steve Bruce's squad flew out to Portugal on Monday to start a 10-day warm-weather training camp.

The players have been put through their paces in their Algarve, laying solid fitness foundations for the challenges that loom on the horizon.

Reach said: "It's the manager's first full season and a chance to get his ideas across and change things.

"Since I joined this club, we haven't really got off to a flier so it would be nice if we could get off to a good start.

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"But, first and foremost, we just need to gel as a team."We have to understand the ideas that the coaching staff want to implement and make sure we are all fully fit and ready come the first game."

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