Iceman Price Ready to Play in Special Boot

Gerwyn Price will play through the pain barrier in a special boot after a major operation on his leg. The Welsh ace suffered a freak ruptured Achilles Tendon injury while out running in mid-June and was struggled in agony through the World Series and World Matchplay. But The Iceman had the op after crashing out of Blackpool in the first round and now faces a race to be fit for the major events over the next few months. Price, 33, admitted: “It’s a beast of a scar. There were some complications to my surgery because the tendon had split further apart but the operation was done well and the surgeon is optimistic that it's going to heal pretty well, fingers crossed. “I've just got to take it easy now in a supportive boot for the next two or three weeks but I'm not going to miss any tournaments - if I have to play in the boot then I'll have to play in the boot. “My recovery isn't going too bad but I've been on the settee for the past few weeks which has been a bit frustrating. “Hopefully by the end of September I will be able to play with a trainer on with a couple of wedges in the back of it, so I won't have to play in the boot at the World Grand Prix." Price, who returns to action at the German Darts Championship next weekend, has had a tough year on the oche with a nightmare Premier League campaign - but now he’s determined to get back to his best following the injury. He added: “It will be nice to get back on stage and see how my darts are going. “I played rugby from the age of six and I never really had any major injuries! “It's been frustrating having to sit in the house all the time, I like to be an active person in life as well as darts. “During the Premier League there were times when I felt like I needed a bit of time off but then when you have a week off you don't know what to do with yourself. “Once I'm out of the boot I will be able to practice a lot more but for the last three weeks I've just been laid on the settee resting up. “I'm going to go to Hildesheim next weekend for the German Darts Championship and I haven't got a clue how I'm going to play but I will turn up and put my full effort in and hopefully play alright. “When I first picked up the injury I said 'you don't throw with your foot' but when you're playing you need to be mentally confident. “When I go into a game without much practice then I'm not going into it where I want to be in my head. “I will hopefully be able to put a bit more practice in ready for the World Grand Prix and by the time that tournament comes round my aim is to be playing in a trainer and playing a bit better. “As long as I'm fit and ready by the time the big TV events come round later in the year I will be happy and after that I can get ready for the World Championship, where I will hope for another good run.” By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia)