After a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a knee injury, Milos Veljkovic returned to action last weekend, playing half an hour of the Green-Whites’ matchday 25 clash against Borussia Dortmund. “It’s the first time in my career that I was out injured for a long time. I’m happy to be fit again,” remarked Werder’s number 13 in the mixed zone on Wednesday.
In Veljkovic, SVW have been missing a key part of their defence for the better part of two months. Making his comeback to the side was a massive weight off the club’s shoulders, as well as being a big relief for the Serbia international himself. “Constantly having to watch from the stands and not being able to get involved was tough.” However, the 28-year-old stressed that he didn’t want to jump the gun. “I took my time coming back, since it was a serious injury.” Veljkovic may get the chance to play the full 90 minutes this weekend due to the absentees in Werder’s backline. At the very least, the centre-back has these words for head coach Ole Werner: “I’m fit and ready to play!”
During the press conference, Milos made reference to the number of injured SVW players, though used it as an opportunity to praise the team’s development. “We’ve got a lot of depth and have good replacements for sidelined players. We’ve lacked this consistency over the past few years.” Niklas Stark’s recent injury means another gap will need to be filled, yet the Serbia international is confident that the Green-Whites will be able to get by. “We have enough quality to offset it together. That being said, we’re hoping that Niklas, as well as Amos and Marco, will be able to make a speedy recovery.”
Long-term injuries can, of course, throw a spanner in the works for a footballer in more ways than one. “I wasn’t called up to Serbia’s squad for the March international break,” Veljkovic shared. Despite this, the 28-year-old is staying optimistic for his future as a member of the national team. “I’m concentrating on Werder at the moment, and am working hard to get back into the swing of things. Hopefully, that will allow me to make a return to the squad next time round.” Veljkovic is, nevertheless, not currently thinking about whether he will represent Serbia at EURO 2024. “My focus is on the here and now, because, in football, things can change in the blink of an eye.”
The hard work starts ???????????? ????
— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) March 6, 2024
???? Niklas Stark, Milos Veljkovic and Isak Hansen-Aarøen are all back in team training today ????#werderpic.twitter.com/aH2ylH7UV0
