5 September 2006, by Sean Gillen

Andrade sees light at the end of the tunnel

Portugal centre-back to return in October

Portuguese defender Jorge Andrade is expected to return to first-team action in October, as he continues his recovery from the knee injury that kept him out of the World Cup.

Andrade tore the patellar tendon in his left knee while playing for his club, Deportivo, against Barcelona at the Nou Camp in March.

The injury immediately ruled him out of the World Cup, but the 28-year-old was hopeful of returning for the start of the new season.

It has now been reported that he will not return until next month, but Andrade insists that the most important thing is to recover fully: “I am optimistic but also realistic and my main objective is to recover completely,” said Andrade.

“I have suffered a big blow and it is not easy to come out of it positively, but I am trying very hard.”

It is thought that the injury may have dashed Andrade’s chances of securing a move to a bigger club during the summer, with Inter Milan and Valencia previously showing strong interest in the former Porto centre-back.

The Portuguese international is adamant, however, that he remains focused on his current club: “Several clubs have been interested in my services but at the moment I am thinking only of Deportivo,” he said.

Depor won their opening La Liga match, beating Zaragoza 3-2 at home, and travel to Mallorca on Sunday.