Winger Ashton Hewitt has told Dragons TV he ‘can’t wait to play again’ as he recovers from the shoulder injury that has ruled him out of action this season.
The 24-year-old suffered a dislocated shoulder injury while training with Wales ahead of their 2018 summer tour to USA and Argentina, which denied him a chance of winning his first international cap.
After initial surgery, the Newport-born speedster - who made his regional debut in 2013 and has scored 21 tries in 72 games – went under the knife again for further corrective work in November.
However, he is now stepping up his rehab work as he targets a return to the game he loves.
“It took a four-minute block of contact in the last main session before we were supposed to fly to dislocate my shoulder,” said Hewitt. “It all happened very quick and that was the end of my summer tour.
“Concussion has stopped my chances previously with Wales, but I wasn’t training or involved with the squad with that, whereas this time around I was and had prepared for a game, so my chances were snatched away at the last minute.
“I found out I had to be operated on again late in my recovery, so I’ve doubled up on the time, but I’ve taken it a bit slower through the healing stages.
“The latest X-ray at three months was spot on and the surgeon’s happy, so I’ve started ramping it up.
“Now, I can start swimming a couple of times a week and I’m out on the pitch running, so it won’t be long before I start doing some skills with Alan Kingsley.”
Hewitt also told Dragons TV about the positive impact his teammates have had throughout his recovery.
“Unfortunately, Arwel [Robson], Brandon [Nansen] and Aaron [Jarvis] are all injured too, but we bounce off each other and have a bit of a laugh and banter,” he said.
“Pre-season will be as normal once it does come around and pushing myself to play in the last couple of games is something that I had to weigh up with the physios and myself. I’ve got to look at taking advantage of an extra few months to make sure it’s 110%.
“I can’t wait to play again and it’s the longest I’ve gone without playing rugby,” he added. “I feel like I can go out there and crack on as if I’d never stopped playing. Hopefully, I’ll take my chance because I back myself to.
“There’s strong competition in the squad, but that’s always healthy and is only going to make us grow as players, which will strengthen the squad.”
Ashton concluded: “Jared’s (Rosser) come on massively, had a breakthrough year and he’s got all the attributes to be a quality winger. Will’s (Talbot-Davies) shown his strengths with good breaks, one-on-one’s and he’s a big, strong boy.
“It’s good to help them and they always want to learn, so they come to me because I’m a senior squad member.”
Click below to watch Ashton’s full feature with Dragons TV…
I can’t wait to play again and it’s the longest I’ve gone without playing rugby... I feel like I can go out there and crack on as if I’d never stopped playing. Hopefully, I’ll take my chance because I back myself to...
