Back row Ollie Griffiths has vowed to ‘stay positive and look forward’ as he starts his rehabilitation after surgery on his injured bicep.
Griffiths, 23, has been ruled out of action for the rest of the Guinness PRO14 season after he ruptured his bicep in the defeat away at Benetton Rugby.
The Newport-born forward has now undergone surgery and has spoken about how he plans to channel all his focus into being back to his very best next season.
“I had the operation up in Manchester on Wednesday and everything went to plan so now I’m firmly on the mend,” said Griffiths.
“I’ve got a few days in a sling and then it is back to rehab with the backroom team and hopefully I will be ready to get fully into training in about eight weeks. It all depends on how the rehab goes.
“It’s not great timing and I’m gutted to miss the Ospreys game and especially Judgement Day, but you have to stay positive and look forward.
“I will now target having a really good pre-season and look to be fully fit and raring to go so I can absolutely fire into next season.
“There is no point dwelling on injuries,” he added. “I’m pretty good with that and I’ve had enough in the past to realise that the sooner you can get mentally over it the better you are in the long-term.
“I will do all I can now to get over this bicep injury and get fit, strong and ready to go again next season.”
Griffiths admits any international hopes have been firmly put to the back of his mind as he concentrates on his recovery.
“With the amount of back rowers Wales have in the set-up right now and with an injury like this, plus not being in the squads recently, it is not something I’m really giving much thought to,” he admitted.
“All I can do is play as well and I can, train as well as I can and stay fit for as long as I can. If the opportunity comes I need to make sure I am ready and I do take it.
“My focus is purely on staying fit and doing as much as I can to be in the best possible shape.
“It’s a long pre-season for me now so I have plenty of time to get over this and plenty of time to get ready.”
And even though Griffiths will not be involved in the closing months, the dynamic back row insists Dragons still have much to play for and prove.
“We have four games left and lots to play for – and the Ospreys game is going to be massive,” said Griffiths.
“We’ve already beaten them once this season at home so it is a big challenge at the Liberty.
“We then have two weeks in South Africa and Judgement Day, which is always a special day, against the Scarlets. It’s surprising how fast the season goes after Christmas, but we still have much we can achieve, especially that away win.”
There is no point dwelling on injuries... I’ve had enough in the past to realise that the sooner you can get mentally over it the better you are in the long-term...
