Duncan Watmore is back on the grass and loving every second of it.
The 24-year-old joined his Sunderland team-mates out in Portugal this week for their pre-season training camp, and while he isn’t ready to join in with the main group he has ramped up his recovery a stage further.
Watmore has been put through his paces with a series of agility tests, helping to rebuild confidence and strength in his knee as well as plenty of running.
And while he still remains some way off training with the rest of the squad, Watmore has revealed he is feeling stronger each day.
“It has been a long time coming,” he smiled.
“I have been out on the grass now for a couple of months just building myself back up and I feel really good.
“I’ve recently been doing some change of direction stuff which is really important after such a serious knee injury.
“That is probably what I need to build my confidence back up the most so I can get those sharp changes onto my left foot.”
He continued: “But I watched some footage back and I’m starting to feel as though it is natural.
“That’s what I need because it gives me confidence so I’m feeling really positive, it is great to be back and I’m getting closer to training.”
Scroll through a selection of the best snaps from Watmore training in Portugal below.
