Vries focused on recovery

VIRGIL Vries says he looks forward to helping Moroka Swallows improve once he recovers from injury.

The Namibian international goalkeeper is not out of favour, as suggested by South African media earlier this week, and is not intending to leave the struggling club any time soon.

The 32-year-old appeared seven times between the sticks for Swallows this season before he was struck down by injury while on international duty.

His last match was the MTN 8 semi-final second leg 4-0 defeat to Cape Town City on 29 September last year.

Vries has kept goal during two wins, three draws and two losses this season.

Having missed Swallows’ last 13 matches, the rumour mill suggests Vries has been usurped by Thela Ngobeni and youngster Jody February.

That is not the case, Vries said in an interview with Desert Radio on Tuesday.

“I was playing with an injury. I got injured while with the national team in September,” Vries said.

“On the 8th, I’m doing my operation with the club. I’m not aware of anything [regarding the exit rumour]. Me and the club have been speaking the whole of December and I got my date for my operation.”

A source close to the club reportedly told KickOff that Vries was on his way out.

“More than other issues, the club is trying to keep a manageable squad as some of the players have not yet made an appearance for the club this season,” the source said.

“You must also remember there is tough competition for the number 1 jersey with Thela Ngobeni and Jody February fighting for the same position.”

Vries maintains that he has no knowledge about the club planning to offload him.

“I signed a new two-year deal with a one-year option with the club at the beginning of the season.

“The club would have informed my agent, and my agent hasn’t said anything to me. I’ve been injured and that’s the reason I’m not playing this whole time because of my knee injury,” Vries said.

“I talked to the team manager and he told me it’s all lies. So, as long the club hasn’t informed me, it’s just a rumour.”

After an impressive campaign after returning to the top flight last term, Swallows have found the going tough this time around. They languish in the relegation zone at 14th position with a paltry 14 points from 18 matches.

“The performance of the club hasn’t been good. That’s why we’re in the position that we’re sitting in,” said Vries.

“I hope this year things will be different. With this new DSTV Cup, I think we can create good momentum and take that momentum into the season.”

Being on the sidelines for such an extended period is frustrating, Vries says. He is expected to remain out for around “four to six weeks”.

“As a player you’re not happy that you cannot contribute based on an injury. So, here and there I go to training but I can’t do anything,” he said.

“I’m hoping the operation will go well and that I will be back soon to contribute to the club, because that’s the most important thing for me.”