Bridge wants big 2017
Chris Bridge is hoping that he can hit the ground running in 2017 after a frustrating end to his debut year with Widnes Vikings.
Bridge made 15 appearances, scoring five tries, in his first season with the club following his move from Warrington Wolves, before picking up a leg injury in June that ruled him out for the season.
The injury is now behind the centre and he is back into full training with Widnes.
“It’s good to be back in and training again,” he said.
“The main thing for me is being back around the boys again after so long out.
“Pre-season is usually cold and rainy throughout, and you know that it’s going to be tough.
“It is dark when you come into training in the morning and then it’s dark when you are leaving at night.
“But it is important that you put the hard work in now to see the benefits during the season and hopefully that’s what we’ll see next year.”
Bridge admits it was tough to sit in the stands and watch as his teammates were taking to the field every week.
“It was really frustrating for me, as I thought I had played really well at the start of the year,” he said.
“I was forming a good partnership with Corey and Joe on our side and then I had a problem with my neck which meant I was out for a few games and then days before the Warrington game I was struggling to walk.
“But instead of missing the game, I tried to tough it out and play anyway when with hindsight I should of listened to my body and sat it out.
“When I’ve been scanned, it was soon realised that I’ve got an extra muscle in my calf that only a few people have, and that’s what was rubbing against my achilles which was giving me the pain.
“It was just one of those things but I’m just hoping I can get a good run of games next year.”
Denis Betts’ side started 2016 in fine fashion and sat top of the table following an outstanding win away to Wigan Warriors in March.
For Bridge and the rest of the first team squad, the aim is to try and push the club further up the table in 2017, and he believes it is something that can be achieved next year.
“As a club and as professional players, you want to improve on what you did the year before,” he said.
“So with that in our mindset, we want to push this Club to the next level and only we can do that.
“Therefore, we will be doing everything that we can, and working even harder than before to do just that and I believe that is a realistic target.
“Personally, all I’m looking forward to doing in 2017 is playing regular rugby.
“The last two years have been horrible personally with injuries and what not, so I’m just looking forward to playing again and making sure my body is right so I can run out with the lads on a weekly basis.”