TORONTO -- The Toronto Maple Leafs resume their post-Olympic NHL schedule next Thursday when they visit the New York Islanders but whether injured forward Dave Bolland is in the lineup remains uncertain. Jon McGlocklin Jersey . Bollands agent Anton Thun says the Mimico, Ont., native still needs one more doctors visit to get final clearance to return to game action. While the rest of his teammates headed for vacation destinations during the Olympic break, Bolland spent his time skating with his former junior team, the London Knights. "I was inside, you can tell by my tan," Bolland joked Thursday. "I was mostly inside the rink doing my rehab and trying to get back in that game mode. "Its close. Getting there. Im on my way upward." Bolland, who has been out since Nov. 2 recovering from a skate cut to his left ankle, travelled with the team on their final pre-Olympic road trip to Florida and Tampa Bay. At the time, coach Randy Carlyle said there was a 50 per cent chance Bolland could play but following Thursdays first post-Olympic-break practice, the forward was still dealing with pain. "Youre always going to feel the pain," said Bolland, who still participated in a full practice, including a 10-minute bag skate. "I know coming off the ice every day youre feeling pain and its always aching and bugging you. Its never going to be fine. I know every day I come off the ice, Im always in the trainers room getting ice." Dion Phaneuf knows what Bolland is going through, having dealt with his own skate cut during the 2010-11 season. Phaneuf had his MCL severed by a skate during a game against the Philadelphia Flyers and missed nearly a month. "Any time you come back from any injury, you want to test it in a game because games are a lot different than practice," Phaneuf said. "You can ask any guy that comes back from anything . . . game speed is different than in practice. It takes you a little while to get back to feeling 100 per cent but Im sure hes going to come back . . . I just know when we get him back its a big boost for our team." When Bolland does return, Carlyle said he would be eased into the lineup, likely sparing him from penalty-killing duties. However, the addition of Bolland gives Carlyle added depth. "Any time you can add of that calibre, it does change the makeup of your lineup," said the coach. "We think that Bolland and Mason Raymond and whoever we decide to put there (gives) us a 2A and a 2B type of offensive numbers. Thats what were really looking for." Prior to the injury, Bolland was on pace for his best season with six goals and 10 points in 15 games. But after missing 45 games, he doesnt expect to pick up where he left off. "My expectations will be a little bit lower and things wont be as high but I know gradually, the first two or three games, Ill be back in the mix." Kyle Korver Jersey . The world No. 1 had one of the most dominating performances in a final and was on his way to a possible shutout on Sunday until the third-seeded Berdych broke the super Serbs serve in the 12th game of the match. Eric Bledsoe Jersey . Best has been bothered by concussion problems and hasnt played since Oct. 16, when the Lions lost to San Francisco. After starting 5-0, Detroit has lost four of six, beginning with that game against the 49ers.Ahead of Burnley’s trip to Preston on Friday, Adam Bate caught up with Clarets midfielder David Jones to find out what the return to his old club means to him and why he’s on course for a fourth promotion to the Premier League… What makes someone an expert in promotion? Ian Holloway and Mick McCarthy have each taken teams to the Premier League on two occasions. Neil Warnock has led three clubs to the top flight. But theres a player who can beat that record. David Jones is looking to win his fourth promotion to the Premier League.The Burnley midfielder isnt about to trumpet his case. He has not masterminded the clubs campaign, that honour belongs to manager Sean Dyche. But the 31-year-old is clearly doing something right. He knows what a promotion-winning team looks like and fortunately for fans of the Clarets, he recognises a lot of those qualities in the Burnley dressing room. Burnleys team spirit was in evidence following Michael Keanes late equaliser The more experienced you are helps, Jones tells Sky Sports. Ive just been lucky to play for some good managers and some good teams. Theres no secret but the common theme Ive experienced in good teams in the Championship is the spirit in the dressing room. It counts for so much and is probably one of the most important ingredients in this league.That spirit was in evidence on Tuesday when the top two met at Turf Moor. With Burnley on the brink of a damaging defeat to Middlesbrough, Michael Keane forced home a late equaliser. The draw means Burnley remain within two points of the leaders but are now level on points with third-placed Brighton. With just three games to go, it was not a game to lose.After Middlesbrough scored, we put them under lots of pressure and luckily managed to put one away, says Jones. Theyre one of our rivals at the top so it was important not to let them gain any more ground on us, The goal means Burnley still havent lost in the league since Boxing Day. It was important to keep our unbeaten run going too, he adds.Jones was on the bench against Boro, only the fourth Championship game hes missed all season. Id have much rather been out on the pitch, but the manager changed a couple of things, he says. Im just looking forward to the next big game because they come around very quickly. Particularly given that the next game is on Friday night against Preston. Jones celebrating a goal for Preston as a young loanee in 2005 This is the club at which Jones made his league debut on loan from Manchester United in 2005. From training with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes, he was thrust into a battle for points under the management of Billy Davies and alongside experienced Championship performers such as Graham Alexander and Chris Lucketti.I can remember really wanting to go out on loan because you could stagnate a bit in the reserves and not get the first-team experience you need to become savvy as a professional, says Jones. You need to learn how to play winning football in a business where results mean everything. Preston gave me the chance to do that.It was a really enjoyable time and Ive got very fond memories of the fans and the people there. You learn a lot at a club like United when youre coming through the ranks about how to become a professional. But I also learnt a lot at Preston under Billy Davies. There were also a lot of experienced players in that dressing room and you had to learn quickly. Jones training with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes at Manchester United A lot is expected from players who arrive from Manchester United in terms of their talent and ability and you have to demonstrate that. You come in from the comfort zone at United to a different style of play and a new way of playing. It was different to what I was used to so it was about trying to be effective. Whatever the style, you have to affect the game.Jones has been doing that this season. Hes provided six assists and thanks to his role as a dead-ball specialist has created more chances (53) than any other Burnley player. A pass completion rate of 84.4 per cent - also a Burnley best - reflects the importance of his sensible use of the ball in midfield. Midfield influence Player Pass accuracy Player Chances created David Jones 84. Bob Lanier Jersey. 4% David Jones 53 Dean Marney 80.8% Scott Arfield 43 Michael Keane 79.3% Sam Vokes 37 Scott Arfield 74.8% George Boyd 34 Its a responsibility he relishes, but the entire team has had to embrace the increased responsibility that comes with expectation. When Burnley were promoted in 2013/14 it was regarded as an unlikely success. Back in the Championship with a bigger budget, the demands are greater. It is different, admits Jones. Weve evolved as a club.There are a lot of things going on off the pitch that are moving the club forward. For example, the new training ground. The expectations from the fans and the town have increased and with the outside factors such as the media, theres more expected of us now. That brings different pressures and a different challenge. Highlights from Burnleys 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough on Tuesday night But for all the change, some things remain. Burnley retained Dyche in the wake of relegation from the Premier League and the decision has been justified. You can see in the way the club operates that its a reflection of our managers personality, says Jones. Its taken time to develop that but hes managed to stamp that all over the team and all over the club.Dyche has got the big decisions right. The signing of Joey Barton might have been perceived as a gamble but its been one that has paid off. Meanwhile, replacing top scorer Danny Ings was always likely to be crucial but the signing of Andre Gray has been a triumph - as shown by his 22 goals, culminating in the Championship player of the year award.Andre has done fantastically well, says Jones. Hes scored goals wherever hes been and hes been vitally important for us. We needed to replace Danny Ings and while theyre different players - theyre not like for like - its still been effective in the way that we play. Now its just about finishing the job and Jones reluctantly admits that they are well aware that Middlesbrough and Brighton must play each other on the final day of the season. It means that three more wins will guarantee promotion.It is hard not to look at other teams, he says. But as players we can only really focus on our performances. If we can take care of that then Im sure itll be positive for us at the end of the season. There are three big cup finals for us to concentrate on now.And what would it mean to Jones? Itd be fantastic to do it again. Thats the aim. We all want to challenge ourselves at that level again. Thats what the club is geared towards this season. With promotion number four in reach, clearly its what David Jones is geared towards too. Also See: Keane strike earns Burnley draw Gray named Player of the Year ' ' '
RSS Feed
RSS Feed