Recovering left back Kieran Gibbs looking to return to full health by start of Inter Miami season

The English left back revealed this week that he underwent back surgery in the offseason

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Kieran Gibbs ended the 2021 season without a clean bill of health.

Unfortunately for him, he is starting the 2022 preseason in the same way.

Inter Miami began preparations for the upcoming season earlier this week, but one player who did not take part in full in the opening training session of the year on Monday was Gibbs. The 32-year-old left back continues to work his way back to 100 percent after undergoing an offseason procedure on a “long-standing” herniated disc, and is hoping to be fully recovered from the back injury and ready to play by the Feb. 26 opener vs. the Chicago Fire.

“It is has been playing up on me,” said Gibbs on Monday. “That is why I had a few issues at the back-end of last season. I am feeling really good. I had (the surgery) done the first week of November, so I am not fully training with the team yet but I am back outside and feeling a lot better than I was.”

Having quickly become a lineup regular in 2021 following his midseason arrival, Gibbs was forced to finish his first campaign in MLS and with the South Florida side as a spectator. He missed the last seven games of the year through injury before option to go under the knife.

In total, the English fullback started 10 times in 12 matches last year for an Inter Miami side that failed to make the playoffs. He learned plenty about the league in those appearances.

“I really enjoyed it, first of all. I loved playing in the games that I did,” said Gibbs. “I think (the league) is very physical. It is really physical, especially playing here in Florida. The teams’ fitness levels are high so you have to make sure that you prepare yourself really well for the season. That was probably the biggest shock to me coming in July.”

Inter Miami has other options it can turn to if Gibbs remains on the mend when the season starts. Brek Shea just re-signed with the team on Wednesday and Joevin Jones remains on the roster, though the Trinidadian did not practice on Monday and is a player who, according to Miami Total Futbol sources, Inter Miami is trying to part ways with.

“Hopefully, with all going well at the moment, I will be ready for the start of the season,” said Gibbs.