|
Bellamy and Shearer were both out of action for around four months following their operations but Thome feels he can make a speedier return than those two.
However, the eight-week time-scale is more likely to mean a return to training rather than an appearance in the first team - he has not played since the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on New Year's Day.
"I've just been thinking about my rehabilitation, I have to be steady, calm and be patient - I think that's the key word at the moment," he said.
"The good thing is I went to see the top man in the job and he knows exactly what's going on.
"It is going to take time because I tore the support between the bones. I'll just have to manage to make a quiet recovery. In his view, he thinks I'm going to be fine in eight weeks.
"They have had a good look inside the knee and everything looks pretty good, the only problem is the cushion between the bones.
"There's not much there anymore but that has happened for many players in the past and I just hope now that, with time, things work out for me as well."