Evgeny Volynets, the goalkeeper for Zhytomyr's Polissya, has revealed details of his prolonged recovery following a serious injury. Despite optimistic forecasts and participation in friendly matches, the 32-year-old goalkeeper was forced to restart his rehabilitation due to a relapse of the injury. His journey back to the pitch proved to be more complex than fans and club specialists had anticipated.
From "simulation" to serious injury
The unpleasant story of the injury began at the end of the last season during a match against "Alexandria." At that moment, many spectators and fans mistakenly believed that the goalkeeper was simply wasting time or simulating an injury to gain an advantage. However, reality turned out to be much more serious. The diagnosis made by the medical staff required a long period of rehabilitation that stretched over several months.
Unsuccessful first stage and relapse
The prospects for a return seemed bright: the athlete was already actively working in the gym, stepping onto the field, and even participated in two friendly matches, including a game against Poland's Jagiellonia. It seemed that the full cycle of recovery had been successfully completed. However, during these matches, Volynets felt severe discomfort again. "The first stage, so to speak, was unsuccessful because a relapse occurred, and I had to start all over again," the goalkeeper admitted in an interview with Sport RBC.UA.
Causes of prolonged recovery
Among the key factors influencing the complexity of the recovery, experts and the athlete himself highlight the non-muscular nature of the injury. Such injuries require significantly more time for complete tissue healing. Additionally, a forced return to play played a significant role. The goalkeeper hoped to recover in time for the start of the new season, which likely caused the relapse. Currently, the 32-year-old specialist is working in an intensive mode but has set a clear goal: to return to the lineup only when he is ready at 100%.
Contradictory data
There are some discrepancies in the details of the chronology in open sources. While the official website of FC Polissya and materials from Sport RBC.UA emphasize that the injury was sustained at the end of the last season, some specialized sports blogs (based on source ID 2) mention that the first stage of rehabilitation might have been completed earlier than officially reported. Nevertheless, both sides agree on the main point: the relapse occurred after returning to training fields, which required a complete reset of progress.
The goalkeeper's future and the team
Despite the difficulties with recovery, the Polissya team continues to prepare for the 2026 season. Earlier, there were reports of transfers in the club, for example, the move of a central defender to Poland's Legia. For Volynets himself, health is currently the priority, not haste. "But now we are working much more, so I hope that in some time I will return," the goalkeeper assured, demonstrating a fighting spirit even under conditions of a forced break.
