MATTHEW BATES is stepping up his rehab after the fourth cruciate injury of his career with a trip to the physio who treated golf superstar Tiger Woods in the USA.

Talented defender Bates had just signed a new Boro contract when he suffered the latest shattering setback during a pre-season friendly against Carlisle.

After carefully weighing up all the options available to him, he underwent pioneering surgery from top London specialist Andy Williams on September 2.

"He's very well respected and Freddie Flintoff was coming out when I went to see him, which was encouraging," said Bates, who turns 23 next month.

The operation was a complete success and Mr Williams believes there is no reason Bates won't go on to play again at the highest level.

"He said he's been into the knees of younger players that were in a lot worse condition," he said.

"The surface of the bone and cartilage is in excellent order, it's just the actual cruciate. He said I've just been unlucky.

"His exact words were he didn't see why I shouldn't go on and have an excellent career in the game until I'm 35 - and for the person operating on you to say that is very encouraging."

A new technique involved replacing the damaged tissue with not one ligament but two, theoretically making the knee stronger than ever.

Bates' faith in his surgeon is such that he will follow his advice and begin the first of two three-week stays with specialist knee physiotherapist Bill Knowles in Vermont next Friday.

"I asked the surgeon where he would recommend and he immediately said Bill. He's worked with Tiger Woods, Johnny Wilkinson and Lawrence Dallaglio.

"I thought it would be good to get away, get my head round things and crack on with it."

Getting injured again after yet another lengthy rehab was a bitter psychological blow for Bates but he is coping admirably and is convinced the ordeal will give him inner strength.

"Some days are worse than others, the tears come and you get depressed and down but if you want to get back to where you want to be you have to snap out of that," he said.

"It's the same with any experience in life - you come out at the other end a better person. Without the injuries I've had I wouldn't be the person I am now.

"If I come back and have a great career what's happened in the past will help me. I'll keep going and I know America will be a good experience for me."

He hopes to be running again within a couple of months and after a curtailed summer holiday he'll return to Rockliffe Park to prepare for pre-season training, by which time he should be ready to join in with his team-mates.

"When the lads are away on holiday I will have a week away and then I want to come back fighting fit," he said.

"It's going to be a long road but I'm a third of the way along it, give me another third and I'll be able to see the end of it."

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