Latest comeback will be my last' - Nobes

PAUL NOBES will retire from football should he suffer another serious injury. The mercurial winger scored in his comeback match in the Jackson League on Sunday after 10 months out, but this will be his last shot at rebuilding an injury-savaged career.

'If I had to have something like a minor cartilage operation, then I would, but if it was something serious again, then I would pack it in. I can't go on having big operations year after year,' said Nobes.

Last weekend's appearance was his first since the 2002 Muratti. He said yesterday that he was 'relieved' and 'delighted' to be back in action after another miserable period on the sidelines.

'I had two operations. The first was to repair wear and tear in the (left) knee ligaments. They had to do a general repair job of everything because when I tore the ligaments last year, the bits and pieces that flew off went into the knee joint.

'They tightened it up, but probably did it a bit too much because I didn't have full extension of the knee. I went back in for a second operation at Christmas to give me full extension and full movement.

'I've being running properly for a while and have been training fully - including the physical stuff - for the past months. It's only seven weeks since my last operation.'

Nobes, rated by many pundits as the most talented local footballer of his generation, suffered no adverse reaction after his comeback match.

Sylvans coach Richard Packman wants to have Nobes fit for next Tuesday's crucial Priaulx League match at Vale Rec., but the player himself is eager not to rush back.

'I haven't got any targets in mind because I've set targets since July and every one of them has been blown out of the water.

'I thought that I was doing everything right this time. I went in the gym and lost the weight - I got down to as light as I was for the 2001 Island Games - but still the recovery took a long time.

'I had to have eight weeks off work last summer and in my position I just can't afford to keep doing that.

'I've had these big injury problems for four seasons now and I just want to play and enjoy football for a full season.

'That's my only target really, but obviously the Muratti and the Island Games aren't matches that you want to miss.'

And island coach Phil Corbet has urged Nobes to be patient and told him that he still has 'a fair bit of time to prove his fitness before the big games'.

'I'm delighted to see Paul back. It's very good news for him and for us, because he's a quality footballer. I'd like to have him available for selection as soon as possible, but we won't rush him,' said Corbet.

Packman said that he was excited by the prospect of welcoming Nobes back to first-team action.

'He is a player of unquestioned ability and he's a massive player for us. All being well, I'd love to involve him in the squad to face Vale Rec. on Tuesday,' said the Sylvans boss.

Despite suffering a series of injury heartbreaks, Nobes has won 12 Muratti caps - one fewer than his younger brother, John - since making his senior island debut as a teenager 10 years ago.