Digard: Count me out of dogfight

Didier Digard has ruled himself out of Middlesbrough's relegation battle as he does not want to 'rush' his return from knee and groin injuries.

Digard: Ruled out of dogfight
Digard: Ruled out of dogfight

The French midfielder was on the end of a crunching tackle from former Boro star Lee Cattermole in their match with Wigan last month.

Digard picked up knee and groin injuries expected to sideline him for around three months, although Boro still hope he could return late on in the campaign.

But the 22-year-old has confirmed he will not be featuring as he does not want to rush his rehabilitation like he did when he was with PSG last season.

"My season is over," he told Le 10 Sport. "If I resume before the summer, it will only be to take part in training sessions.

"I don't want to make the same mistakes as I did in Paris.

"Last season I came back too early and had a relapse. At Boro, the officials have given me carte blanche over my rehabilitation.

"I don't feel the same pressure I felt at PSG."

Digard insists that he is loving his new life in the North-East - despite the fact Boro are entrenched in a relegation battle.

"My arrival in the Premier League, I could not dream of anything better," he added. "When I signed for Boro, I had not played for six months but the club gave me time to adapt to the competition.

"I think I have blossomed, the Premier League really suits me - I can't see myself playing anywhere else now.

"I love the state of mind, the aggressiveness, challenges, the life and everything.

"I don't regret leaving PSG - I wanted to leave, contrary to what has been said.

"Paul Le Guen wanted to keep me, but he preferred to work with people who were focused on the club, which wasn't necessarily the case with me."

Your Comments

Cazual (Middlesbrough fan)

"Why is it a lack of commitment? Playing a injured Digard is not got for his recovey, his development, or for Boro! If he is rushed back he could make the injury worse and end up missing even more games!"

wheater31 (Middlesbrough fan)

"theres commitment. just what we like to see"

omg_mac (Wigan Athletic fan)

"oh and the tackle on digard was a good tackle. unfotunate he got injure tho"

omg_mac (Wigan Athletic fan)

"ha so is neil for tackle on him "

Bluenose1978 (Rangers fan)

"Thats what you need, someone committed to the cause when his club needs him most!

Good player from what ive seen though!"

Petchy Maletchy (West Ham United fan)

"Lee Cattermole is a total disgrace!"

Emirates Hussain (Arsenal fan)

"He needs to rest more!"

christianick

"why focus on some unknown?Simple sack Southgate before its too late..get Curbs,prob he'll do a West Ham escape like last time..Haha.."

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