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No Plane, All Gain, For Goalkeeper Elliot
Written by Newcastle Utd
There's no extended summer holiday for Rob Elliot this year, as he focuses instead on getting back to full fitness
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
While most footballers will be spend this time of year sunning themselves in locations like Dubai, Las Vegas or Miami, goalkeeper Rob Elliot is instead enjoying the bright lights of Benton.
That is because the Republic of Ireland international has decided to not take an extended summer break as he bids to return as soon as possible from the anterior cruciate ligament injury that brought a premature end to his campaign in March.
Following a brief visit to America, Elliot is currently going through his rehabilitation programme at Newcastle's Benton-based Training Centre, and the 30-year-old insists that the lack of holidays will be worth it once he pulls on his gloves again and steps back onto the St. James' Park pitch.
"I'm in almost every day, getting fit again," Elliot told nufc.co.uk.
"The training ground is a lonely place. Tim (Krul) is also around but he's a bit ahead of me in his rehab so he may have a bit more time off.
"It is tough but I'm working with great physios and hopefully it will make me stronger and get me back quicker.
"As much as you want a summer break, I would rather be fit and then I can enjoy my summer holidays next year instead.
"I would rather be back at St. James' Park playing than anywhere in the world on holiday.
"I will sacrifice anything to make sure that happens and work so hard to get back as soon as possible.
"If missing a couple of holidays will mean I'm back two or three weeks earlier, then it will be worth it."
Elliot was recently given the all-clear to start walking again without the aid of crutches.
And the former Charlton Athletic man, who has been on Tyneside for almost five years, explained that has given him a big mental boost and some much-needed light at the end of the tunnel.
"I've been working hard and I'm off my crutches now, so that's great and makes me feel a little bit more independent," he continued.
"It's amazing what you take for granted, especially as a footballer, because you're so active and I found it really hard.
"But now I'm off the crutches and have seen the surgeon, who gave me the all-clear, I can really start progressing, which is massive for me.
"I can start doing things like the bike and treadmill, which are simple things at a low level but enough to make you realise that you are going to return to fitness.
"I will be getting ready to hopefully be back in training in September or October."