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Luke Thompson declares his NRL career isn’t over as he reveals comeback date
Injured Canterbury star Luke Thompson has declared he is not a spent-force in the NRL.
There were initial fears that the Englishman would not only be sidelined for the rest of the season but his NRL career was over after a freak training accident in February.
He’s now working hard towards an earlier than expected return.
SHOCK INJURY
Thompson was sandwiched by two Bulldogs legends Willie Mason and Mark O’Meley when the foot injury struck during a routine drill.
“It was a freak accident,” Thompson said in his first interview since the major setback.
“We do the drill all the time where we just run through two tackle shields.
“As I ran into the bag my left foot was going forward and I’ve bounced off the shield.
“As I’ve bounced my right foot has got caught in the turf. I’ve gone backwards and all my weight went through it.
“(Mason and O’Meley) were holding the pads. They aren’t the smallest humans but I’m not blaming them. Sometimes it just happens.”
Thompson suffered a lisfranc injury.
“Initially I wasn’t going to have the surgery because you can rehab it without the surgery. But we opted to go for it so we know that it’ll be fixed.”
COMEBACK
There were mixed reports on when Thompson would return. The worst case scenario was the rest of the season but five weeks post-operation he now has a clearer picture.
“I saw the specialist last Monday,” Thompson said. “He said another four to six weeks. I am tracking really well and doing everything I need to do.
“I’ve been really diligent to get back as quick as I can and help the team out. We’re down on troops at the moment.”
He has started running on the Ultra-G treadmill and is focusing on building the leg muscles around his foot.
FUTURE
Thompson knows he has unfinished business in the NRL. He is in the final season of the lucrative deal he inked to join Canterbury midway through 2020.
“I want to stay in the NRL,” Thompson said. “I feel like I have unfinished business here. My best footy is still ahead of me. I want to play in this competition and win a premiership. I’ve won two in Super League but I want one out here.”
After playing 20-plus games per season in his final five years at St Helens his time at the Bulldogs has been disjointed. Off the back of a strong World Cup for England, Thompson was confident and at full fitness before his latest injury setback.
“I feel like my time has been disrupted,” Thompson said. “The first season I kept getting suspended. In Super League I played eight years and missed one game through suspension.
“I had a concussion last year. We’ve had five coaches in three years which hasn’t helped but the team is looking better and doing well.
“I feel like I’ve been consistent but there are better pieces around me now the team is coming together. Everyone is on the same page and I feel like I can show what I can do in this team.”
Injured Canterbury star Luke Thompson has declared he is not a spent-force in the NRL.
There were initial fears that the Englishman would not only be sidelined for the rest of the season but his NRL career was over after a freak training accident in February.
He’s now working hard towards an earlier than expected return.
SHOCK INJURY
Thompson was sandwiched by two Bulldogs legends Willie Mason and Mark O’Meley when the foot injury struck during a routine drill.
“It was a freak accident,” Thompson said in his first interview since the major setback.
“We do the drill all the time where we just run through two tackle shields.
“As I ran into the bag my left foot was going forward and I’ve bounced off the shield.
“As I’ve bounced my right foot has got caught in the turf. I’ve gone backwards and all my weight went through it.
“(Mason and O’Meley) were holding the pads. They aren’t the smallest humans but I’m not blaming them. Sometimes it just happens.”
Thompson suffered a lisfranc injury.
“Initially I wasn’t going to have the surgery because you can rehab it without the surgery. But we opted to go for it so we know that it’ll be fixed.”
COMEBACK
There were mixed reports on when Thompson would return. The worst case scenario was the rest of the season but five weeks post-operation he now has a clearer picture.
“I saw the specialist last Monday,” Thompson said. “He said another four to six weeks. I am tracking really well and doing everything I need to do.
“I’ve been really diligent to get back as quick as I can and help the team out. We’re down on troops at the moment.”
He has started running on the Ultra-G treadmill and is focusing on building the leg muscles around his foot.
FUTURE
Thompson knows he has unfinished business in the NRL. He is in the final season of the lucrative deal he inked to join Canterbury midway through 2020.
“I want to stay in the NRL,” Thompson said. “I feel like I have unfinished business here. My best footy is still ahead of me. I want to play in this competition and win a premiership. I’ve won two in Super League but I want one out here.”
After playing 20-plus games per season in his final five years at St Helens his time at the Bulldogs has been disjointed. Off the back of a strong World Cup for England, Thompson was confident and at full fitness before his latest injury setback.
“I feel like my time has been disrupted,” Thompson said. “The first season I kept getting suspended. In Super League I played eight years and missed one game through suspension.
“I had a concussion last year. We’ve had five coaches in three years which hasn’t helped but the team is looking better and doing well.
“I feel like I’ve been consistent but there are better pieces around me now the team is coming together. Everyone is on the same page and I feel like I can show what I can do in this team.”
