HARRISON, N.J. – Oft-injured New York Red Bulls defender Ronald Zubar just finished a strong, full training session, looking ready to once again compete for minutes with the first team.

However, every break in play saw the 29-year-old center back limping his way to the next drill, showing considerable discomfort in his left leg.

It has been that kind of year for the veteran French defender, who has consistently taken steps forward in his recovery, only to have nagging pain and discomfort take him out of first team contention. If it isn’t his quadricep, it is his hamstring. Something always seems in the way.

As Zubar tells EoS, a last ditch attempt to heal his nagging issues came earlier this summer; a process that saw him traverse Europe in search of answers.

“I went to France and Spain to see muscle specialists to make sure we got treatment in a good way, and to check if I don’t have allergies in the foot or anything which can come from something you eat or whatever,” Zubar tells EoS. “We checked my body from head to toe. Our body, everything is connected. That is why I went to see these people.”

The treatment didn’t include surgery. Instead, Zubar opted for a less invasive procedure and tact that would allow him the chance to rejoin the Red Bulls this season. “We did therapy that sends electricity right to the muscle,” he explained. “I needed something like this to help me. Hopefully we just keep going and back on the field next week and be ready for Jesse and the roster.”

Both head coach Jesse Marsch and Zubar express patience in the veteran defender’s recovery. However, after a wait Zubar looks set for selection when the Red Bulls resume league competition against the Chicago Fire.

“We don’t have a target but this is one of our plans we try to set up day after day to see how my body reacts in training, my head, how things are going,” he said. “Give me ten days to go. I’ve been a month training. It’s a good possibility.

“The idea is to make sure I finish the season because obviously it has been a hard season for me,” he continued. “It’s something nobody would ever wants to have a season with injury but sometimes it happens. It was my year, unfortunately.

“Now I am focused to come back on full training. I played 35 minutes with the USL team. That was great to step on the field and get a few minutes. So far, everything is going right, but that was the same last time too so I don’t get too excited. Im just focused on having a good training session, keep my recovery and that’s it.”

However, once recovered, Zubar will be looking to regain his long lost starting position.

“That’s the plan!” Zubar exclaims. “That’s why I am here man! Jesse hasn’t said nothing but I am here to compete.

“Right now we are doing well. The way we defend, I am a defender so I look first at the back five, including Luis [Robles]. I am enjoying watching them play and I am going to push them and put pressure on the guys. You put pressure on them, it makes everyone better. It’s the way it should be and I will try to do it.”