Vito Mannone has lavished praise on Sunderland’s backroom staff as he continues his road to recovery.
The stopper has been out of action since the end of August when he sustained an elbow injury in training, ahead of the Black Cats EFL Cup game at home to Shrewsbury Town.
Following a successful operation, the 28-year-old has returned to the Academy of Light and has since been put through his paces as he looks to return to action as soon as possible.
Speaking to safc.com, the Italian hailed the club’s backroom staff and revealed he is feeling stronger and stronger every day.
“It’s the first real injury I have had in my career – I have been lucky so far – so I just have embrace the pain, face the challenge and come back stronger as soon as possible," he said.
“We had a plan from the beginning and everything was set up for me to perform each day and train as hard as I could.
“The medical team has been exceptional, and they have been with me since this problem happened. “I’ve been working every day, double sessions.
“It’s a lot of work behind the scenes in the gym and I am working on my flexibility of the arm and elbow.
“I’m getting stronger in my upper body and at the same time I am pushing really hard on my legs with the medical team and the fitness team," he continued.
“They have really worked me hard, and they’ve had the chance to do that because we have no game.
“I have been training like I never have done before.
“Hopefully this training will help me come back as strong as I possibly can.”
