“I’ll be back”

Sinan Kurt speaks to herthabsc.de about his injury, his neighbour Ondrej Duda and the first Bundesliga game back against Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday, 22nd January.

Berlin – Sinan Kurt was in his element, fully-focused and was back on the pitch with his teammates putting some serious work in with a smile on his face. However, the forward’s high spirits did not last long as he injured himself on the second day of Hertha’s training camp. The diagnosis was a bitter pill to swallow as he was told that he had ruptured ligaments in his left ankle. It was an untimely injury, especially as the left-footer was a possible candidate for Pál Dárdai’s starting XI in the opening game of the second half of the season.

Kurt has since come to terms with the setback and is feeling optimism once again. herthabsc.de spoke to the German about his injury, his frame of mind and 2017’s opening competitive game against Bayer Leverkusen (22/01/17).

herthabsc.de: Sinan, you left the team’s training camp after picking up your injury and were operated on last Thursday. How are you getting on right now?
Sinan Kurt: I’m doing fine. The operation went well and there were no problems. I also haven’t had any pain. I’m still walking on crutches at the moment and probably will be for the next two weeks. I’m also wearing a special boot on my left foot to support it. Vladimir Darida also had to wear a boot like that after his injury. I’m obviously not as mobile but my uncle is around at the moment and Ondrej Duda is my neighbour so he brings me things from the supermarket from time to time (smiles).

herthabsc.de: What was going through your head when you got your injury, headed back home and were about to have your operation?
Kurt: Of course I was very disappointed. There were a lot of targets I had set myself for the second half of the season and I wanted to be in peak condition for it. I was feeling good. I was a bit frustrated with the situation and was asking myself why this had to happen to me. I found it pretty difficult during the first few days but now it’s looking a lot better. The diagnosis could have been a lot worse. I’m just looking forward now.

herthabsc.de: Pál Dárdai has often called upon you to play left midfield and has been very pleased by your development. Is this the impression you've gotten?
Kurt: Yes, but I’m not resting on my laurels. It’s nice when the coach gives you good feedback, but as a player this can't allow you to take your foot off the gas. I wanted to build on this at the training camp and in the second half of the season, but unfortunately I have to have a bit of patience. Luckily, the time that I’m out for is at least manageable.

herthabsc.de: What are your next steps?
Kurt: I’m receiving a lot of treatment at the moment, but I can train my upper body. For my foot, I’m doing stability and mobility exercises. Currently there’s no schedule for how my rehab will go or when I’ll be fit again. That’s not a problem though. I’m not putting myself under any pressure. I know I’ll be back.

herthabsc.de: Your teammates face Bayer Leverkusen in the first competitive game of 2017 on Sunday. What will the team have to do in order to get the three points?
Kurt: We have good team spirit and we’re excited that the Bundesliga is returning this weekend. We have to stay focused like we did in the first half of the season, go game by game and stay level-headed, even when we lose. I think we will be able to do that. Leverkusen will be a difficult game; they are a top quality side. We have to stay tight in defence, keep a clean sheet and try to create as many chances as we can going forward.