Interview

'Danny Welbeck is a tough lad, we'll lift him up'

Rob Holding with Danny Welbeck

Rob Holding may have been at the other end of the pitch at the time, but he knew Danny Welbeck’s injury was a serious one.

Our forward was stretchered off in obvious distress after just 26 minutes of Thursday’s Europa League game against Sporting CP, and continues to be assessed in hospital.

 

It’s a big blow for Welbeck, who had already scored five goals this season, but Holding knows his team-mate has the character to come back strongly.

 

“I didn’t see it because obviously I’m at the other end of the pitch so I didn’t see exactly what he’d done,” he said. “But Danny is a tough lad so if he’s on the floor, I know its something serious so he’s in hospital now and we’ll see what happens.

 

“He’s been so unlucky with injuries over the past few years but he’s a good character and got a good set of lads around him so we’ll lift him up and get him back as soon as we can. He can come back strong.”

We’ll be without Welbeck for Sunday’s visit of Wolves but despite the quick turnaround, Holding says we’ve got more than enough quality to cope with the packed schedule.

 

“The past three weeks have been a game, two days break, a game, two days, so it is just about getting a recovery session done, getting yourself feeling up to scratch to go again on Sunday,” he said.

 

“There’s definitely momentum about the team, we’ve rested some players who will probably come in at the weekend and we’ll go again and hopefully get the win. I want to play every minute that I can. I am feeling fit and healthy. I just want to get as much game-time as I can.”