The Saints ace was sidelined for over two months following a back operation, during which time the Premier League club changed managers.
Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand has spoken of his “frustrating” period on the sidelines due to an operation that took longer to recover from than initially thought and what he asked manager Ralph Hasenhuttl during his time on the sidelines.
The 29-year-old began the season as Saints captain and played the full 90 minutes in every Premier League game from the season opener against Burnley up until the Watford game in mid-November (Transfermarkt).
Bertrand then underwent a minor back operation but what was supposed to be a layoff of around a fortnight ended up stretching all the way into February, during which time Matt Targett took his spot at left-back (Daily Echo).
While the England international was recovering, Southampton parted company with Mark Hughes and brought in Hasenhuttl, and given the change in tactics and various other things that happen when a new coaching team arrives, he spoke of how he wanted to get up to speed despite being out of action.
“The healing process was the main frustration because I was waiting for the wound to heal which was taking a little bit longer than previously thought,” he told the Daily Echo. “That was the only thing that was frustrating, but as soon as I got back I felt good.
“I actually asked for the videos. I said to him that whilst I’m away and not participating in the daily meetings, because of a different schedule, I’d like to get some footage on his style of play and his expectations. I wanted to start mentally processing it and it worked well. It was a new manager and a new regime, and I love learning.”
Since coming back from the operation, Bertrand has played the full 90 minutes in five of Southampton’s last six league games, according to Transfermarkt.
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