Injured Trinidad and Tobago and Joe Public defender Anthony Noreiga is eager to return to the playing field again for both his country and club, but he understands that he has to take the necessary precautions.
Noreiga suffered a brain contusion when he collided with national teammate/goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams against host team USA in his team's 2-0 loss in the CONCACAF Gold Cup held in the United States back in June.
The lanky Joe Public defender returned to Trinidad in mid-July after having been denied an earlier flight back to his homeland by the US Airlines due to the seriousness of his injury. He has been recovering slowly, taking short distance walks in cool afternoon atmospheres in his neighborhood.
Speaking with 'ttproleague.com' the Gasparillo resident was happy to announce that he has begun therapy with club physiotherapist Ian 'Chala' Dore.
"I've begun therapy last week at my club. I've been doing walking, a lot of stretching, changing angles and very slight jogging," explained the 25 year old.
Noreiga who had also visited a neurological centre in Arouca on the advice of his national team doctor, Dr. Terrance Babwah is eyeing a return to action at the end of the year.
He said, "It all depends on how I feel, then the physiotherapists would be able to make a judgment on when I can play again."
"I am aware that I have to watch my progress carefully before hurrying into anything but I imagine that by the end of the year I would be able to make my return," said Noreiga with self-assurance.
Noreiga has also commended his Pro League club, Joe Public for the dedication they placed in him through his misfortune.
"The club understands what I'm going through at this point and they have really put in a lot to make sure that I am fully recovered. I am grateful for that," ended the Joe Public player.
Noreiga has played seven times for the T&T senior team and is a former member of American A-League team Vancouver Whitecaps as well as George Mason University. He only joined the 2006 Pro League champions Joe Public at the start of the 2007 season.
Joe Public's physiotherapist Ian Dore told 'ttproleague.com' that neither he nor anyone else can determine how soon Noreiga would recover.
"I am being honest," he said. "Nobody would know when he would fully recover because of the type of injury."
"We are wishing for a quick recovery but we can't really say when. It is up to the player to tell us how he is feeling after every session and only then can we say how he is coming along. We would continue to work with Noreiga until he has fully recovered," promised Dore.