HAMSTRING INJURY SIDELINES HILL David Smith - Saturday, July 11, 2009
Kamani Hill's preseason with Portuguese club Vitoria de Guimaraes appears to be in jeopardy due to a hamstring tear.
The forward was taking part in a practice session at the club's extended training camp in the coastal region of Figueira da Foz when the former UCLA Bruin says the injury occurred.
"I picked up a small tear in my lower hamstring," Hill told YA on Friday.
"I had a MRI yesterday and the club estimates that I will be out up to four weeks before a full recovery and integration. I want to get back as fast as possible and of course not risk any further injury"
Hill had signed with the club in May after a successful trial and recently began training under new head coach Nelo Vingada.
With preseason matches scheduled against Sporting, Benfica and Portsmouth, the Californian laments that the tear could be a setback towards earning a starting spot prior to the season opener in mid-August.
"Missing out on the preseason could be detrimental as I was battling for a position," continued Hill. "I will be back in time for the beginning of the season mid-August."
The former PAC10 standout moved to Guimaraes following a very frustrating two-and-a-half year spell with German club Wolfsburg where Hill had fallen out of favor with then-head coach Felix Magath who relegated the west coast native to the club's reserve team.
Now, after getting a new start with the northern Portuguese club, the Berkeley, California resident feels resigned that his run of bad luck has followed him west.
"I was physically prepared for the camp so the injury came as a complete surprise" he conceded. "It's unlucky I guess. Now I can only look forward and focus on getting better. It's frustrating."
Hill and his Guimaraes' teammates hope to improve on last year's disappointing eighth place finish when they begin their season the second weekend in August.
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