Flint could return next month (From Swindon Advertiser)

Flint could return next month

6:00am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in STFC News By Gary Rose

ADEN Flint may be back for Swindon’s end-of-season push after Paolo Di Canio confirmed the defender could return to full fitness within six weeks.

Last week, Di Canio reluctantly conceded that he expected Flint to miss the remainder of the campaign after a specialist stated that it would take the 22-year-old some three months to recover from a groin injury he suffered in training last month.

However, Flint received a second opinion from another specialist on Friday who has experience in dealing with injuries like the one the former Alfreton Town skipper suffered.

And his prognosis was considerably more optimistic, stating that Flint could in fact be back in full training by mid-March.

“Last week we said three months because it is better to be more cautious,” Di Canio told the Advertiser.

“However we sent Aden to a top specialist with this type of injury and he told us he could be back to join the team in around one month and a half.

“Obviously everyone can react differently but we have a big belief. Flint is young and he has the determination to join the team at the crucial point of the season and that is very positive.”

Not only does that mean Flint could be back for the last few games of the season but also a potential appearance at Wembley, if Town first overcome Barnet in the second leg of the area final at the County Ground tonight.

Di Canio added: “If we go to Wembley, which is at the end of March, then there is time for him to be involved in some way, we will see what is going on.

“We support him in every manner but I am very happy because I see him with a different expression on his face now.

“He has the hope now that he can be a part of the team at a special moment during the season and could be back for the last five, six or seven games, which is good news for us.”