Watching Chennaiyin FC’s (CFC) final pre-season friendly, against Real Kashmir FC, from the sidelines at the Sri Ramachandra grounds here on Monday must have been very painful for Jeje Lalpekhlua — the team’s most-capped player.
Since undergoing a successful knee surgery in June this year, the 28-year-old from Mizoram has been undergoing a rehabilitation process at the Sri Ramachandra Centre for Sports Sciences here.
Jeje will miss all three matches for his club in October — FC Goa on October 23 (away), Mumbai City FC (home) on Oct. 27 and ATK (home) on Oct. 30 — but is hopeful of sporting the club’s jersey by November.
“I miss [playing] a lot. I cannot sit properly! [I] always want to play with them (CFC). But it is going to be tough work. [We] have to work hard. [For me], let’s see the recovery is going well. Within one month I will be fit, provided the doctors give me the green signal,” Jeje told The Hindu in an exclusive chat.
It was the worst season for CFC and for Jeje in the previous edition of the Indian Super League, where it finished last among 10 teams. Despite criticism on Jeje’s inability to score, head coach John Gregory had persisted with him.
“It was quite difficult and one of the worst seasons for the club. Yes for me, too. This is football and life. Sometimes there are ups and downs. I always had problems with my left knee,” he said. “I feel much better now than before. I am eager to get back.”
