Rosicky steps up rehabilitation

Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky has stepped up his rehabilitation process as he bids to recover fitness in time for the start of next season.

The Czech Republic international has been out since January with a knee injury and underwent surgery in May, ruling him out of Euro 2008.

It is feared that the 27-year-old, who has been recovering from his operation in Prague, will miss the beginning of Arsenal's 2008/09 campaign.

However Rosicky has now revealed that he took his first steps without crutches on Wednesday and that he is to return to London to increase the speed of his return to fitness.

"To lose the crutches has been a great relief," Rosicky told his official website.

"For six weeks after the surgery I was strictly ordered not to make a single movement without the crutches. Now that is over, but I will not remember it kindly.

"Wednesday was the first time I walked without any support. It is nothing great, but at least I can walk.

"I am stumbling and getting used to it. After a long time without proper movements, my knee is stiff. It just needs time.

"In a few days I am flying to England. In London there is a more sophisticated rehabilitation schedule waiting for me.

"I don't know what it will be like, but at least I will be doing something at last. I am sure the Arsenal specialists have thought it through well."