Gary Lewin - World Cup 2006

Gary Lewin is the physiotherapist for the England football team. PhysioRoom.com caught up with him to get an insight into the medical preparations for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Gary you have been England’s physiotherapist since 1996 and this will be your third World Cup Finals. In what way will your experiences from France in 1998 and Japan in 2002 influence your planned medical cover for the squad during Germany 2006?

"You always gain from the experience of previous tournaments and our planning for 2006 has been meticulous. Dr Leif Sward (the England doctor) has been visiting the facilities regularly and he is kept updated with the fitness status of all of our players."

What are the training and rehabilitation facilities like at England’s World Cup headquarters in Baden Baden?

"They are excellent. We have set up a full gymnasium, working with Technogym, at the site of two indoor tennis courts. It will cater for all of our rehabilitation needs and for all of the fitness work that is required by our fitness coach.

"We have also set up an area by the pool where the players will do a recovery day the morning after a match. There is a private training pitch, which has been re-laid and improved to a very high standard.

"There is a hospital on site, with all of the scanning modalities we could possibly need."

What equipment will you be taking out to the England World Cup headquarters?

"Full rehabilitation facilities with the help of Technogym.

"All forms of electrotherapy.

"All necessary medication and other medical requirements such as strappings, dressings etc."

What will happen if one of the England players gets injured during the tournament and needs to be referred to another medical specialist, or for a scan? Will they come back to England?

"Dr Sward is an orthopaedic surgeon and we have all scanning facilities on site at Baden Baden.

"We would decide depending on the type of injury and liaise with the relevant club, to decide which consultant the player would see."

This year is your 20th as the head physiotherapist at Arsenal. What happens to the normal Premiership club rivalry when you are treating the England players from Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea etc?

"There isn’t any. You get to know the players really well and they build up a trust with you. Therefore, medically it doesn’t matter which club they play for."

You’ve been at the heart of the England set up for the past ten years and have been on the bench for every big game. What are your most memorable moments from past World Cups?

"1 Drawing with Italy in Rome in 1997 (to qualify for the 1998 World Cup).

"2 Beating Argentina in Japan 2002.

"3 My 100th game as England's physiotherapist against Azerbaijan at St James Park earlier this year.

"4 The last match at Wembley."

Thanks for your time Gary – let’s hope you have a quiet tournament with no injuries! Come on England!

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