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Rich on the comeback trail

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Glasgow-born forward Matthew Rich is on his way back after a summer of sickness and frustration at not being able to take his place on the Phoenix roster.

Stricken by food-poisoning and salmonella after a middle-Eastern holiday earlier in the summer, 20-year old Rich has been unable to train on ice and restricted to only very light gymnasium work in an effort to regain his strength.

Rich, who attended the Phoenix home-opener last Sunday against Basingstoke commented, "The sickness knocked me absolutely flat, I've never felt so rough in my life. But, the good news is I'm on the mend and looking forward to getting back on the ice soon. The doctors have told me I can increase the work rate in the gym and I've been to my local rink in Paisley to ask about getting involved in their hockey training."

At the height of the illness, doctors advised Rich that he'd be looking at Christmas before playing again, but the gritty Scot added, "I've followed the doctors' orders however, and I'm now feeling a lot better and want to get back on the ice to start building up my leg strength and stamina. I can't say yet when I'll be back in the Phoenix line-up as I will continue to take the doctors advice, but my target is before Christmas."

He closed saying, "It was good to see the guys in the room on Sunday, but I don't want to be a visitor, I want to be in there with them as soon as I can."

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