Darren Pratley has been given the green light for now to enjoy chocolates and wine gums as he prepares to return to training

Pratley has been refused the ability to return to training until he puts on the five kilos that he lost in two weeks as a result of a recent bout of mumps.

The illness came almost immediately on the back of his shoulder problem that has kept him out of action this season but he should now be in a position to return to training this week.

Despite the strange dietary sheet, Pratley has struggled to put on the weight required and he told the Western Mail “I’m eating a lot of chocolate and things like wine gums to make sure I consume a lot of calories,

“But it’s not as easy as people think.

“It takes time to get the weight back on. You think you could just go out, eat a few McDonalds and be fine, but that’s not the case.

“I’d only put one kilo back on by Thursday, so I’ve got to be weighed tomorrow to see how I’m doing. If I’ve put on some weight, then hopefully I can go back into training.

“I’m still pretty tired and anyone that loses that much weight will struggle a bit. But, once I get my strength back, I’m sure I will be ok.

“There’s no strict diet or anything. I just need to eat more portions of food and more snacks.

“It’s quite unusual to have that freedom. I’m normally fine with just three meals a day, but now I’m having six.

“I actually have to get up early to have a meal before my breakfast. But it’s just to get me back to normal and the sooner the better.

“Hopefully it won’t take too long and after a couple of weeks I can be back in contention. That’s my aim over the next fortnight."

Pratley also revealed the horrors of him contracting mumps and added “It’s the worst pain in the world, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

“You can be in your house, with the heating up, wearing a full tracksuit and you are still shivering. You are sick the whole time, your face swells up and then your testicles do as well.

“So it’s pretty painful just walking around. And, when you start jogging when they are bigger than usual, it’s not a nice experience.

“It’s been a frustrating couple of months, but, after the mumps, I don’t think it can get any worse for me. I’ve been working hard and I’m looking forward to getting back on the pitch.

“I’m here to play, not spend all my time in the gym. The sooner I can get out there, the better it will be for me and the club.”

SOURCE: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/swansea-city-fc/2009/09/27/six-meals-a-day-for-swansea-city-s-darren-pratley-91466-24788998/

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