Kevin Strootman's surgeon says he'll be back in optimal condition for Roma next season.

The Dutch midfielder is finally back on the pitch after two years spent recovering from injuries. He is currently following an individual training program which often has him working separately from the team as he slowly gets his knee used to taking shocks again.

Strootman was already operated once in Holland, but the surgery was not successful and he had to go under the knife again, this time in Italy, with Rome-based surgeon Pierpaolo Mariani.

Kevin Strootman's surgeon says he'll be back in optimal condition for Roma next season.

The Dutch midfielder is finally back on the pitch after two years spent recovering from injuries. He is currently following an individual training program which often has him working separately from the team as he slowly gets his knee used to taking shocks again.

Strootman was already operated once in Holland, but the surgery was not successful and he had to go under the knife again, this time in Italy, with Rome-based surgeon Pierpaolo Mariani.

“Niek van Dijk's team is very good, but there is no such thing as perfection,” Mariani told La Gazzetta dello Sport about the Dutch surgeon. “Here in Italy we are excellent [in the profession of surgery].

“Kevin himself was a bit doubtful at first, but then he sent me a text message apologising for being a bit unfriendly.

“Nobody looked for special insurances for the player because no-one would cover this type of risk. Consider [Francesco] Totti: I knew I was dealing with a treasure when I operated him, but I had confidence in what I was doing.

“I feel sorry for the time wasted with Strootman. After his first return to the pitch, even just by watching him on TV, you could tell something was wrong.

“I don't know if he has any regrets. Some players don't even say thank you. After all, since we're surgeons, they may think everything we do is owed to them.

“Strootman will return the player he was before. He just has to get rid of some unconscious fears. He'll have left all of that behind when he starts next season. Just like surgeons themselves do.

“Did you know that I operated on former Roma's [Houssine] Kharja's cruciate ligament and he was back on the pitch in 93 days? Now there's a world record!”

Byandrea

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