Rafael’s race against the clock

“I seriously feared I had to bail out,” says gifted midfielder van der Vaart. Now he has resumed group training, he is not longer unhappy if a pass doesn’t reach a fellow Dutchman. “I am very content if I can pass without feeling anything in my ankle.” Deep down, the 23-year old still doesn’t know if he can play a significant role in Germany. Let’s face it: all proof, scans and tests say there’s nothing wrong with his ankle. So,why does he keep complaining about it, after his January operation?
Without Van der Vaart, HSV Hamburg couldn’t continue to pursue Bayern Munich. ALthough Rafael didn’t play all matches, his colleagues in the Bundesliga voted for him as the best player of the first season’s half. Van Basten, well aware what ankle-problems can mean, gave Van der Vaart all the time to recuperate. The Dutch team manager and former EC champion (1988) has big plans for the part Spanish, part Dutch midfielder. Van der Vaart is the designated playmaker on midfield, the number 10, creating opportunities, servicing the equally gifted strikers.
“I love that role. And my ankle felt better and better, and then - last week - I received that ball on my foot. Another set back.”
“Marco didn’t pressure me at all. But I felt the pressure anyhow, I knew time was running out. If I couldn’t cling on on Wednesday, I knew I could pack my bags.”
Since that training, Rafael is declared fit. Although sometimes, he still feels pain. As a precaution, he avoids the tough duels. “The pain is normal, I am told. So I will slowly put my self to the test and start tackle and go into the duels. The main thing is not to think about the ankle while playing, and I am starting to do that…”
“I am straight with the coach. If I feel I can play Sunday, I’ll tell him on Saturday. And then it’s up to him. He obviously trusts me a lot. That feels great. I need to thank him for that.”
” I had my share of injuries before, and most of the times, I was too eager to get back. But hey…again, I feel I don’t want to miss a minute…”

What do you think? Should we advise Marco to start with Raf in the line up, or should we let him rest on Sunday?