Melbourne City and CommBank Matildas forward Holly McNamara said she is progressing in her recovery from a third anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
It was a devastating blow for the 21-year-old, who had just been recalled to the Matildas squad having scored six goals in five appearances to sit atop the Golden Boot standings in November last year.
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The three-time Australia international is still sidelined but she provided an update on her injury during City’s clash with Western Sydney Wanderers at AAMI Park on Saturday.
“(Feeling) really good. It’s obviously been a little bit more than 12 months now,” McNamara told Paramount+.
“I’m starting to get back into it but I’m just happy to be back around the girls.”
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Asked if she was getting itchy feet to return to the field, McNamara said: “100%.
“The physios are getting pretty sick of me begging and asking. But no, I’ve got to be smart this time.
“You get to that end stage and you think you’re fine, you think you’re invincible and you might not be. It’s about getting the right timing.”
When quizzed on the plan to return playing, she replied: “It’s just time. A lot of time.
“Finding that right balance, getting all those numbers I need to get it. It’s a million things into one.”
McNamara added: “For me, it’s just getting back into it. Getting that confidence.
“Getting hit is a big thing when you come back from ACLs. I’ve told my teammates to please just hit me at training. You need to get used to it again. It prepares you and I’m looking forward to that side of it.”
