Scimeca: I wondered if I’d ever play again

Mar 9 2008 by Chris Wathan, Wales On Sunday

RICCARDO SCIMECA is going for a cup bonus at Boro today – just weeks after wondering if he’d ever earn a wage from football again, writes CHRIS WATHAN.

Midfielder Scimeca, 32, is in contention to start in City’s mammoth quarter-final clash at the Riverside after battling back from a groin injury that sidelined him for a year.

Having gone under the knife four times, he admits he struggled to stay positive as his recovery was rocked by post-operation infections.

The ex-Aston Villa man even revealed the 12-month lay-off even had him questioning his footballing future.

And now he admits just being able to be in with a chance of some last-eight action is a pure bonus.

He said: “It’s been a tough year for me. It was certainly one of the worst injuries I’ve ever had and it doesn’t help at this stage of my career because as you get older it gets harder to recover.

“When times are bad the worst races through your mind at times; questions like, ‘Am I ever going to play again?’

“It can enter your thoughts. I’ve had four operations since July and two infections from them. “At that stage I did think, ‘Is this going to be it?’ You think about your future. I’m a guy who likes to be positive.

“There were times when it was hard to get of bed but you put things into perspective. There’s much worse things that happen in the world.

“And I was lucky enough to have a lot of support from the other players, from a lot of people at the club and the supporters.

“They were there for me when I was down and gave me the encouragement to battle on.

“And I did because I want to play for as long as I can.

“I’m now lucky enough to be in with a chance of playing in the quarter-final of the FA Cup but just to be playing again was all I wanted. The fact it’s such a big cup game is just a bonus.”

Scimeca made his first start in a year when he took to the field against Crystal Palace in midweek, immediately displaying the experienced qualities missed by the Bluebirds.

And with Dave Jones needing all the big-game players he can muster for the trip to the Boro, there is a clamour for the Wembley winner to get the nod this afternoon.

But he added: “There is a sense of good timing for me but I’ll be thrilled just to be on the bench because, like I said, this is all a bonus.

“I’m almost pinching myself to be back for such a big game. The side had given themselves a good position in the league to threaten the play-offs but we’ve dropped off a little bit.

“But in the cup the lads have been superb and we deserve to be where we are – and that’s a game away from Wembley.

“I won the League Cup there with Villa. You don’t get many chances in your career to play there so there is a sense of wanting to grab the opportunity.

“But that’s not just me; everybody is the same and the manager has some tough decisions to make.

“Everybody wants to be involved because it’s a huge game for the club and a huge incentive for us to do well.”