Forgotten man Jack Rodwell looks to overcome injuries ahead of switch to defence
Things haven't gone according to plan for Jack Rodwell.
His first Premier League strike - a bursting run and finish for Everton against Manchester United from the then-18-year-old - led to predictions of masses of international caps and domestic honours. Now, nearly six years later, he is struggling to make an impact at Sunderland.
"I've had a couple of niggling injuries this season and we don't want them to continue," he told the Guardian's Louise Taylor, explaining his visits to the sometimes controversial clinic of Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt in Germany.
"I went to Munich to see him two weeks ago. I was there from Monday to Friday and had about 50 injections. There's a lot of anti-inflammatories and lubricants for the joints - it's all technical stuff, the physios know more than me. I just go along with it - I'll do anything to stay fit."
With teammates Lee Cattermole and Billy Jones already beneficiaries of the former Bayern Munich club doctor's unconventional approach, Rodwell hopes it can end to his own recurring issues.
"There's a method to his madness. I want to stay injury-free and he can help me," Rodwell said. "Prevention is better than cure."
Rodwell made a £12-million move to Manchester City from Everton in 2012, but nervy performances were followed by a succession of injuries during his two seasons in Eastlands. His career stalled, and has failed to pick up since Sunderland handed him a lifeline.
The Black Cats have one of the worst defences in the Premier League, so new manager Sam Allardyce may shake things up and ask Rodwell to slot in at the back. Although he hasn't been used there in his professional career, he's not wholly unfamiliar with the role.
"From England under-16s, through the 17s and 18s, really all the way through my youth career, I played at centre-half. For some reason, when I made my debut at Everton I just played in central midfield and it went from there," he said. "I'll play at the back again though, no problem."
For now, the three-time England international is desperate to add to his three starts in the top tier this season. His side makes the trip to struggling Chelsea next Saturday.