GIANTS key forward Jonathon Patton will visit a world renowned knee rehabilitation specialist in the United States as he takes the next step in his recovery from his second knee reconstruction.
 
Patton will spend six days in Philadelphia working with sports rehabilitation specialist Bill Knowles as he aims for a return to football later this season.
 
The 21-year old has impressed the GIANTS medical staff with his rehabilitation since undergoing surgery in August. He resumed running in November and is making strong progress.
 
Knowles has worked with some of the biggest sports stars in the world including golfer Tiger Woods, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, English soccer player Frank Lampard and English rugby player Jonny Wilkinson.
 
The GIANTS Head of Athletic Performance David Joyce said the visit to the US would help Patton take the next step in his rehabilitation.
 
"We're very pleased with the way Jon has responded since undergoing surgery last August and he is ahead of where we expected him to be at this stage," he said.
 
"We now want to take that to the next level and give Jon every chance to strengthen his knee and return to full fitness as he prepares to return to the game later this year.
 
"Bill Knowles has worked with some of the world's best athletes and we think the intensive training program he will undertake with Jon will help achieve this."
 
Adelaide Crows captain Taylor Walker also visited Knowles in 2013 as he underwent rehabilitation from his own knee reconstruction.
 
Patton, who will leave for the US next week, said he was looking forward to working with one of the world’s leading knee specialists.
 
“It’s going to be a tough week but I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

“I’ll start on the Monday and finish on the Saturday and every day it goes for 7-8 hours a day so it’s going to be pretty intense training.
 
“It’s about making a positive out of negative. I get to go overseas and work with one of the best ACL rehab guys in the world and it’s something I’m really grateful for.
 
“The club had my best interest at heart and we both thought ‘why not.’ This way I get to go away as I didn’t get to go away in the off-season so I can’t wait for it.”