Get well message for Aaron

04 March 2010

By Richard Williams - The Leader

Neil Taylor hopes Welsh team-mate and the country’s star of the future Aaron Ramsey makes a speedy recovery from injury.

Arsenal midfielder Ramsey underwent emergency surgery after his leg was broken in two places in a challenge from Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

The 19-year-old has already been ruled out for the rest of the season but is likely to be sidelined for much longer.

And Taylor, who witnessed Ramsey suffer his horrific injury as Wrexham were making their way back from Salisbury City following the 1-1 draw, hopes Ramsey is back to boost Wales sooner rather than later.

“It was obviously horrible to see,” said Taylor. “We were watching the match on the coach on the way back from Salisbury and straight away everyone knew it was serious.

“You could see the pain Aaron was in and the reaction of the other Arsenal players – no-one could look at him.

“People seem to recover from any injury these days with the specialists we have got. Some players recover from broken legs in two months and others take over a year, but hopefully it is a speedy recovery.”

Wrexham left-back Taylor has represented Wales at various levels with Ramsey, and always knew his team-mate was a special talent.

And with time on his side, Taylor believes there is still plenty to come from Ramsey on his return from injury.

“When we were 14 and 15, we played together for Wales under 16s when Aaron was at Cardiff,” said Taylor.

“Aaron definitely shone, even at a young age you could tell he would be a good player and had the individual ability to play at the highest level.

“And he has progressed through the Wales ranks right to the senior team. He has developed very well the last few years.

“Arsene Wenger has seen the progress made and decided to push him on. Aaron has played a lot more for Arsenal and had a great season.

“He has got so much promise. He is a regular with Wales, one of the best players, and is still only at a young age.”

Wales were without Ramsey for last night’s international friendly against Sweden in Swansea and he seems unlikely to feature in manager John Toshack’s plans when the 2012 European Championship qualifiers begin in September.

Ramsey, who received the FAW’s Young Player of the Year award in November, is also still eligible to play for Brian Flynn’s under 21 side and Taylor added: “Obviously it is a big loss to Arsenal and Wales. Hopefully Aaron can make our two under 21 games in September.”

Meanwhile, despite recovering from a foot injury, Taylor has been unable to win his place back in the Wrexham side and last featured for the Reds in the FA Trophy defeat against Altrincham on December 15.

And the 21-year-old admits he is eager to return to the Wrexham line-up, saying: “I came back from the broken foot in the middle of January, have been fit since then and kept myself in good shape.

“I am desperate for first team football but I have just got to wait for my chance, and do well in the reserves.

“I have been enjoying it in the reserves, we have been doing well.

“The gaffer has been playing me on the left of the diamond in midfield but he knows I can play basically anywhere.

“I am just hoping to get some first team games before the end of the season and just see what happens.”

Out of contract at the end of the season, Taylor has been offered a new deal by manager Dean Saunders but that has been put to the back of his mind.

“There is no point even thinking about it yet, I will will just concentrate on my football and let the season finish,” added Taylor.