Commited To The Cause

GARY O'NEIL has committed his long-term future to Boro and cannot wait for the season to start.

There had been intense speculation over the summer linking the talented midfielder with a move away from the Riverside but O'Neil is now very settled on Teesside.

"We had a baby who was two months old when the move came about and I was told in a day that I was going from one end of the country to the other, which was difficult," he explained.

"But no excuses, that's part of being a footballer, and thankfully it's all sorted now. We are very settled and it's going to be a good season.

"I'm nearly there with the injury. I'm joining in some bits of training with the lads, doing a little bit of contact but not being allowed in the games just yet."

Gary O'Neil - Photo-North News and Pictures

O'Neil started off the season in magnificent form but struggled to find the same level of performance after Christmas.

"I had a difficult spell towards the end of last season. But I never stopped enjoying my football and I was desperate to sort the situation out. Thankfully we have and I'm pleased I'm going to be here this year.

"I think I got tired halfway through the season but now I'm hopefully going to try and get back to full fitness after my knee injury.

"It's been a good pre-season for me so far and now that I'm happy and settled, it will get me back to where I want to be."

The former England U21 skipper suffered a serious lateral knee ligament injury in the 1-1 draw with Spurs at White Hart Lane in April.

Boro players protest to referee Steve Bennett - Photo by PA Photos

After undergoing surgery it was expected that O'Neil would miss the start of this season but rehabilitation has gone better than expected.

"It's been a lot quicker than I thought. We were told four of five months to start with and it's been three of four days over three months so I'm a long way ahead.

"If everything goes well I can maybe play 20 minutes of the second friendly in Portugal and if not then the one after that."

glad hes wiling to stay didnt see his full potentional through the time he was with us last season but glad we will see him next =)