Milner: It's been a long, tough road back to full fitness

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Midfielder made final day return in 4-1 win over Tottenham.

Nick Szczepanik

2025-05-26T22:30+01:00

James Milner returned to action for Albion on the final day of the season. 📷 by James Boardman.

James Milner has revealed the extent of the injury that cost him most of the 2024-25 campaign and says that he wants to play on with Albion next season.

Milner, 39, started the first three matches of the season but was not seen on the pitch after limping off in the 17th minute of the 1-1 draw away to Arsenal until making a surprise return late in Sunday’s 4-1 win at Tottenham.

But only after the final whistle in North London did we learn the full story of his battles in between.

“I had a contact injury in training before the Arsenal game on my knee,” he said. “It was stable and we gave it a go and my hamstring reacted. I had a knee operation and knee reconstruction, which was fine and I would have been back at the start of December.

James Milner started the first three Premier League games of the campaign. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

“But in the operation a nerve got damaged. After the operation I couldn't lift my foot or my toes. The first time I saw any flicker of life was the 31st of December.

“It's been a long, tough road. The medical staff have been incredible, [club physio] Sean Duggan has been absolutely unbelievable.

“There was a chance I might not have come back at all. I didn't know if I could walk normally again, never mind play football. But thankfully the hard work's paid off. And to get on the field today [Sunday] with the boys and see them turn it around in the second half and be a part of that was special.

“I've been on the grass for a good few months now but I just need to be careful with contact. I've just run out of time. If the season was next week I think I would have been fit from now on.

“It's not age-related, it's just one chance in however many thousand. It was just a bit of bad luck after starting the season well and feeling good.”

His influence, though, was still felt around the training ground and on match days.

“It's been frustrating, I've tried to help the manager as much as I can off the field and help the boys. It's an incredible group but it’s been tough, for whatever you do off the pitch - whether it's video stuff or speaking to the boys - if you're on the pitch with them it is ten times easier and they will improve ten times quicker.

“But you see the potential out there. They are a great bunch of lads, I just want to help them improve as much as possible.”

James Milner has made 24 appearances in all competitions for Albion. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

The players have valued that help, and during the post-game celebrations at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Carlos Baleba and Yankuba Minteh showed their appreciation by carrying their teammate over to the fans. “I would have tried to fight them off but they’re both very strong,” he joked.

“He’s a legend,” Minteh said. “He has been there since day one for everyone, trying to help young players to fit in the system. I’m really happy that he’s back.

“You can’t describe [his influence]. He is amazing, like top, top, top, top level. If you want to be good in the future, you need to listen to him.

“Every day we, the young players, learn from him. Because he never tries to say ‘Oh, I’ve won everything, I can relax now’. He always trying to work hard, which I love. So it will be amazing if he stays.”

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Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls finish the season in style with a 4-1 victory over Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Jack Hinshelwood, Matt O'Riley and Diego Gomez all hit the target to give Albion a comfortable win and all three points. Club Photographer James Boardman was in North London to capture the action

“I started the season well, I look at my fitness now and I feel good,” Milner said.

“Coming on against Tottenham, I would like to keep playing, I've definitely got another year left in me. I think we're quite close so it will be nice to be here and be part of the team and help the boys.

“You look at the season we have had. We have good players and good results but there have been times when we've dropped points and shouldn't have done. You need a bit of experience.

“You look at the players that have come in, the likes of Mats Wieffer and Brajan Gruda, difficult coming to a new team and country but look how good they've been in last few weeks. It takes time.

“I'm excited for next year for sure. Hopefully I can be a part of it. You look at the potential that's there. Carlos Baleba is another player with more games and maturity.

“Hopefully with myself involved and the senior guys, we can keep pushing these guys, the more games, the game understanding will improve. The manager has done a fantastic job but with another season under his belt I think it is exciting for next season.”