Jose Maria Olazabal eyes return in January

22-12-2007 15:40

Jose Maria Olazabal has struggled with injury for most of 2007.

Jose Maria Olazabal hopes to return to action late next month after four months out with a form of rheumatism.

The Spaniard, 41, only started hitting balls again this week after suffering problems in his shoulders and groin.

Olazabal will be in Louisville for the defence of the Ryder Cup next year as assistant to European captain Nick Faldo.

Hope is the last thing you should lose He has not given up hope of playing in the event, despite admitting he faces a tough battle given his lack of qualifying points.

This year the popular Spaniard has managed only one top-10 finish - third in the Players Championship in Florida in May - before missing the Open Championship with a knee injury and then seeing his health go downhill again.