In the Dragons’ penultimate game of the season, against the Cardiff Blues, fullback Martyn Thomas, suffered a potentially career threatening leg injury. Now almost 12 weeks on the 23-year-old is about to take the next step on his road to recovery.
“This is my first week back and the first time I’ve really seen the boys,” said Thomas.
“It’s good to have a bit of a break but when you’re injured it is a bit different. So I’m really looking forward to next week when I start the next phase of my rehab and link up with the new head of conditioning, Alex Lawson.
“All being well I could potentially be back in November. I’m trying not to put a date on it and get my hopes up, but I’m looking at getting back on the pitch, whether with Newport or the Dragons, sometime around Christmas.
Looking back to the local derby in April, Thomas said: “I knew I had done something serious straight away but then I looked down and saw how bad it was with my foot at a right angle. I can remember just grabbing Wayne Evans; it was not so much the pain but the realisation of what had happened.
“I fractured my leg in five places, ruptured the ligaments and dislocated the ankle. They were able to put my ankle back in on the pitch and I had the operation that night, about three hours after coming off the pitch. I’ve had a plate put in, screws and one big one holding the fibula and tibia together.
“What made it worse was it was my 23rd birthday the next day and for the second time in three years I had to spend it in hospital, which isn’t the best way to celebrate!
“I moved back to Llandeilo to live with my parents for a month so I was well looked after. I’ve also been to stay on a friends yacht in Spain and I’ve had a friend’s stag doo - So I have plenty to keep myself busy and feel refreshed.
“I like to stay positive about things. It was unfortunate that it happened but injuries do happen, what’s important is how you come back from it.
“It’s great to be back with the Dragons and having the boys around, and in time hopefully I can get back into training. Obviously they have brought in some new players like Matt Evans and some wingers, who will provide more competition.
“But I just can’t wait to get my rehab underway, get fit and back playing. My goal is to get back into the side and cement my place for the second half of the season. It’s a long road back, but hopefully I can get back to where I was.”
