Eduardo eager to rejoin front line for Gunners

(GETTY IMAGES)

Eduardo da Silva does not want to think about the horrific tackle that almost ended his career and is focused purely on returning to front-line action with Arsenal as soon as possible. It is almost a year since the Croat was left with a broken leg and dislocated ankle by the Birmingham City defender Martin Taylor.

The former Dynamo Zagreb striker, following a spell of rehabilitation back in his native Brazil, has already returned to action for the Gunners' reserve side ahead of schedule and was in the Croatia squad for last night's friendly against Romania.

Eduardo was named on the bench in the Premier League draw against Tottenham last Sunday, although he did not play. The 25-year-old feels his return to action with the Arsenal first team is imminent, and prefers to focus on that rather than recall any painful memories of events at St Andrew's. "I don't even remember it – and I don't want to either. I have not seen any footage of the incident, and I don't want to," Eduardo said. "At this stage, I am focused on the future."

The forward, though, bears no grudge against Taylor. "He sent an email to someone at the club wishing me well [ahead of my return for the reserves], and I am thankful for him doing that," Eduardo said.

Eduardo has been throwing himself into training sessions, saying that there had been no suggestion of a "soft touch" approach from his team-mates.

The Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, is said to be considering a move for the Ghana international Stephen Appiah, who is a free agent following his release from Fenerbahce and had been training at Spurs.