Eels big gun Vella in with a finals shot

PARRAMATTA'S former international prop Michael Vella has set week two of the finals as his target date for a comeback in a huge boost to the club's chances of winning the premiership.
The Eels have won nine games in a row despite being enormously weakened in the front row because of injury and suspension, but the pressure of having to try to win without class forwards such as Vella increases every week.

If they can survive to week two of the finals they will probably regain Vella from a lower leg injury and if they can last another week beyond that they will get powerhouse Fuifui Moimoi back from suspension.

During a visit with other Parramatta players to Westmead Children's Hospital yesterday, Vella said the season he thought was probably over was now very much alive again.

"I'd like to think I could get back for the first week of the finals," he said. "But it's more realistic to aim at the second week and I'm very optimistic about my chances of playing then.

"I tore the ligaments down near my ankle playing against Souths in round 15 and the doctor said it was a 12- to 14-week injury. But I've already cut a week off that because the screw he put in was supposed to stay there for six weeks and I improved quickly enough to convince him to take it out after five.

"I've been back running for 11 days now and I'm on the bike and doing boxing and swimming. I generally recover pretty quickly from injuries and my physical condition is pretty good.

"There's nothing like match fitness, but I was in good shape before I got hurt and I've held on to that pretty well. The guys are playing great football and I'm desperate to get back in time and try to play some role."

Vella isn't the only injured Parramatta star busting a gut to get back in time to share in the team's amazing revival this season. Halfback Tim Smith, recovering from a broken collarbone, will visit his specialist again next week in the hope that he will be told he isn't far away from a comeback.

"I'd like to get back for the last round, but I couldn't tell you for sure when I'll play again," Smith said. "I saw the doctor last week and he said there was still a bit of a crack in there, but that will heal pretty quick.

"I just want to play footy. I'm desperate to be a part of what the team is doing."

But when Smith does become available, Parramatta stand-in coach Jason Taylor will have to decide whether to slot him straight back in at No.7 or continue with the in-form and match-hardened Jeremy Smith at halfback.

Jeremy Smith said he would leave that up to the coach and just concentrate on trying to maintain his form.

"The decision isn't up to me," he said. "But if I play well and the team is winning, it gives me a better shot at staying in the side."

Parramatta chairman Alan Overton presented a cheque for $40,000 from the leagues club to the hospital. The money will be used to train a specialist in the oncology unit.