Brighton star Stefan Tzimas has spoken about how he is continuing to learn about life in the Premier League despite being sidelined with injury.
The striker suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury against Aston Villa in December, with surgery consequently ruling him out for the remainder of the campaign.
However, despite the severe nature of the injury, Tzimas was in good spirits as he chatted with students at a Premier League Primary Stars session at Hangleton Primary School earlier this week.
The 20-year-old supported the PE lesson along with teammate Matt O’Riley and Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation staff, helping coach a number of basketball drills as part of the Primary Stars programme.
After the session had concluded and autographs were signed, Tzimas provided a positive update on his condition and spoke of how he has received plenty of support from his teammates throughout his recovery.
“It was difficult, to be honest,” he explained. “Difficult moments for me on my first game (Premier League start). But I had the full support of my teammates the next day.
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“The whole of Brighton, like the players, staff, I get the full support. So they support me a lot, now I feel very good, the rehab goes very well as was planned, and I’m ready to come back stronger.”
The former PAOK star went on to reveal that he will be back training on the pitch soon, though underlined that he is still taking things steadily. He continued: “My recovery goes very well, in a week I will start on the pitch. Slowly, slowly, step by step.”
Tzimas featured regularly in cup competitions during the early stages of the campaign, and the Greek international looked to be breaking into the Premier League picture before disaster struck against Villa.
Nevertheless, despite the unfortunate circumstances, the forward remains optimistic about the future and believes he has still been able to get to grips with life in the English top-flight whilst recovering.
Asked about whether he believes he is still learning from the sidelines, Tzimas explained: “Yes, of course, because I have the opportunity to watch the games, to go to the stadium, to watch from the stands. I think, at this level, in this league, you can always learn. You always have something to learn.”
With his recovery fuelled by a ‘good mood and passion’, Tzimas is looking forward to putting the injury behind him and getting back on track with the Seagulls.
His infectious positivity will certainly be an asset for the Brighton moving forwards, which was not lost on the star-struck students, who gleefully encouraged the No. 9 to attempt to shoot hoops with his back to the basket itself as their PE lesson drew to a close.