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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Despite the strange dietary sheet, Pratley has struggled to put on the weight required and he told the Western Mail \u201cI\u2019m eating a lot of chocolate and things like wine gums to make sure I consume a lot of calories,<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s not as easy as people think.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt takes time to get the weight back on. You think you could just go out, eat a few McDonalds and be fine, but that\u2019s not the case.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d only put one kilo back on by Thursday, so I\u2019ve got to be weighed tomorrow to see how I\u2019m doing. If I\u2019ve put on some weight, then hopefully I can go back into training.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still pretty tired and anyone that loses that much weight will struggle a bit. But, once I get my strength back, I\u2019m sure I will be ok.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no strict diet or anything. I just need to eat more portions of food and more snacks.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s quite unusual to have that freedom. I\u2019m normally fine with just three meals a day, but now I\u2019m having six.<\/p>\n
\u201cI actually have to get up early to have a meal before my breakfast. But it\u2019s just to get me back to normal and the sooner the better.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully it won\u2019t take too long and after a couple of weeks I can be back in contention. That\u2019s my aim over the next fortnight.”<\/p>\n
Pratley also revealed the horrors of him contracting mumps and added \u201cIt\u2019s the worst pain in the world, I wouldn\u2019t wish it on anyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s pretty painful just walking around. And, when you start jogging when they are bigger than usual, it\u2019s not a nice experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a frustrating couple of months, but, after the mumps, I don\u2019t think it can get any worse for me. I\u2019ve been working hard and I\u2019m looking forward to getting back on the pitch.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m 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.\u201d<\/p>\n