Amine Gouiri: "I see the light at the end of the tunnel"

Amine, let's talk about your new contract...

I'm very happy to have signed this extension and I hope to return to the pitch as soon as possible. This is a great show of confidence from the club because I haven't been able to play since the beginning of the season. 

How is your rehab going?

I started running again. I'm also working on building muscle. I think I'll be back on the pitch soon. There was a little bit of apprehension ahead of my first outdoor running sessions because I had gone more than four months without running. I felt really good. Everything is going well right now.

Do you consider it a big step in your rehabilitation?

Yes, absolutely. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. By running again, I can do many more things in my sessions. I will continue little by little. I will start doing ball work gradually with the physical trainers. It's a very big step for me.

What was your training program like during these three days in Spain?

I had double sessions per day like the other players. In the morning, it was more focused on running, with 15 minutes of jogging. In the afternoon, it was more muscle building and strength training.

Did you miss the day-to-day stuff with your teammates?

Yes a little bit. I'm happy to return to the squad, to eat with them, to be together. It's true that I'd spent a long time away from them. 

Several times we saw you doing ball work between exercices…

Of course. I've got the itch. But for now I can't do much more than light touches, some juggling. But it will come back gradually.