Sterry sets sights on August return

The 21-year-old underwent surgery at the end of May – a fortnight later than planned after he was struck down by a kidney infection.

After beginning his rehabilitation process while on holiday, Sterry started running again earlier this week.

And, after coming through a frustrating time, the defender is hopeful he can draw a line under an injury which marred an otherwise encouraging campaign – one which took in a four-month loan spell at League One side Coventry City.

“It had been ongoing for half of the season, I would say – even while I was on loan, my right side was a lot weaker than my left. My groin had actually gone – that was what the problem was,” he told nufc.co.uk. “I was meant to have the operation straight after the season, but I was in hospital for five days with a kidney infection.

“The hospital basically let me out on day release for the last day of the season, but I had to go straight back after the game, so I couldn’t go out with the lads. I missed out on that. It was then a two-week wait for my bloods to get better before I could actually have the op, so that put me back again.

“For two weeks after the operation, I couldn’t do a lot – just a bit of upper body work in the gym. I was still ill from the infection as well, which was minging for me. I went on holiday for a fortnight – which helped – and I did six or seven sessions in the gym. I couldn’t do any running, though – which was a bit of a nightmare.

“But now, this week, I’ve started to kick on. I started running on the AlterG on Monday, and by the end of the week I’ll hopefully be running outside. From there, it’ll be about getting my fitness back up. I’m ready to work hard, and I’m hoping to be back just before the start of the season.”

United return to the Premier League with a tasty-looking clash against Tottenham Hotspur at St. James’ Park – the side against whom Sterry made his first-team bow two seasons ago.

“They are a really good team – I made my debut against them – and it’d be great for me to get some minutes, but I need to see if I’m fit first,” he said. “The rest of the lads are back next week – and it’d be even better if I was ready to do the same sessions as them – but I have things to look forward to. We have good physios who will look after me and tell me what to do, and hopefully next season I’ll be able to stay fit and keep going.”