Beni Baningime believes he can follow Liam Boyce ’s example and come back from a ruptured cruciate six months after getting injured.
The Hearts midfielder has been sidelined since his season ended during a 2-0 victory over Livingston in March. The initial prognosis was a nine month absence, and that’s what the Tynecastle club’s medical staff are working on.
But players being the way they are, the desperation to get back playing makes it difficult to manage expectations and keep their own timelines in check. Baningime readily admits he’s been a nightmare in that regard, with the physios having to hold him back and make sure he doesn’t push himself too hard.
Since the injury, he’s been heeding the advice of teammates who’ve gone through similar. John Souttar knows better than most how hard the road back to fitness as, as do Stephen Kinglsey, Peter Haring and Boyce.
But it’s Boyce’s relatively quickfire return to action after suffering the same injury for Burton Albion in August 2017. The Northern Irishman was back playing by the end of January and Baningime is trying to take inspiration from that.
In theory, a similar recovery would see him back in action before October. That’s probably unrealistic, but Bangigime will be happy even if he’s back a day sooner than expected..
“The physios are the most knowledgeable,” he said. “Pete has been out for a long time and Stephen Kingsley. Liam Boyce had the same injury as me and came back in six months so that's what I'm going for. The boys have been great trying to help me through.
“We have a plan for after the break, around December or January. If I can take four weeks or three weeks off that - or even just one day - I'll take it. That's what we've been speaking about.
“The physios are having a heart attack but I'll just try to get back as quickly as possible. They have to hold me back. I'm getting a bit excited, telling them I'll be back next week!”
Baningime flew out with the squad for last week’s Spanish pre-season training camp at La Cala. He was nowhere near ready to join in training however, and spent the majority of his time on the bike and in the gym.
But he swears the psychological boost of just being back amongst it is invaluable, especially after missing out on some massive games last season: "It's coming on all right,” he explained. “I've started doing gym work so I'll be strengthening my legs for the next six months to get them as strong as possible and then come back. I'm excited for that
“Me and Halks [ Craig Halkett ] are the only ones not fit but it was great being with the boys in Spain. Being at the same place, different scenery, great facilities, it's a lot better.
“It does make you feel part of it. Even in the Scottish Cup final, you're a part of it if we had done something special. But there's always a part of you wishing you were out there giving everything you've got.
“It does make you feel part of it. Even in the Scottish Cup final, you're a part of it if we had done something special. But there's always a part of you wishing you were out there giving everything you've got.”
It’s often the innocuous incidents that do the most damage and that was certainly the case with Baningime’s injury. He landed awkwardly after hurdling a challenge against Livi at Tynecastle, not long after scoring his second goal for the club.
The former Everton man managed to walk off the pitch, so was therefore stunned when the diagnosis came back, which made the hammer blow even more painful: "Apparently you're supposed to hear a pop but I didn't hear anything,” Baningime recalled. “I walked off and thought: 'Okay, I should be all right.' Then the results came back, that's life.
“I spoke to John Souttar, he's had a few injuries and come back and look where he is. This happens in football so you need to come back and deal with it.
“I felt like I was in a dream. You know when you're having a nightmare and trying to wake up? It's football. I will come back stronger and better.”
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