Riccy Scimeca happy to be back on track

May 1 2008 by Terry Phillips, Western Mail

RICCY SCIMECA has surely already assured himself of a new Cardiff City contract – and he’s heading for Wembley Stadium feeling better than he has at any time over the last year.

Central midfielder Scimeca completed his first 90 minutes of the season in the 3-3 draw at Burnley and looks a certainty to start against Barnsley at Ninian Park on Sunday.

It’s been a long, hard road back to fitness and now, at last, Scimeca is beginning to reap the rewards.

“The year has been so frustrating in reaching a level of fitness and then breaking down again,” said Scimeca. “Each time I would pick myself up, work hard and then suffer a setback.

“That happened four times. It’s more than simply a physical problem because the mental side of things is just as tough. It has been incredibly draining.

“But I feel so much better now and I’m really looking forward to the last couple of matches this season, finishing with the FA Cup final.

“Fitness-wise, it’s now going well. I’ve been able to come back, train every day for almost two months and play in matches.”

Scimeca, 32, did not play in a first-team match until March, when he went on against Leicester City at Ninian Park. Now he has made 10 appearances this season, starting four of them, including the game at Burnley.

The former Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion and England U21 player is out of contract this summer, but that won’t be a problem now.

He wants to stay and the only concerns manager Dave Jones has had were on fitness, not football. Now Scimeca has come through those tests, negotiations on a new deal will be stepped up.

“I am feeling much stronger,” said Scimeca. “I won’t be at the top levels of fitness until after pre-season next season, but I have been virtually going through my own ‘pre-season’ programme anyway.

“I’ve started a few games and that’s been brilliant.

“The lads have worked so hard this season and to be involved at all after the season I have had is wonderful.

“Now we want to top things off by winning the FA Cup. When you reach the final it’s so close. We badly want to win it and that’s what we will be striving to do on May 17.”