It’s been more than two months since Baljit Singh left for advanced treatment in the United States. On Saturday, when he returns after three surgeries to his damaged right eye and a special contact lens provided by the doctors in Alabama, the Indian hockey goalkeeper’s only wish is to meet his mother and sister.

“For the past two months, they have been alone. My father is here with me and therefore there’s a lot of work piling up at home. I just wish to get back to them,” he told The Indian Express from Alabama.

India’s number one goalkeeper till the freak injury with a golf ball laid him low in July, Baljit is happy with the way things have gone so far in terms of treatment. “I am glad we came here for advanced treatment. I can now differentiate between colours and my vision, though far from good, is definitely a lot better. Now, the doctors here have given me special contact lens to wear for at least 15-20 days, after which my condition will be checked again,” he said, preparing for the flight back home.

The internet was Baljit’s constant companion in the US. “I used to spend a lot of time watching my old matches, watching India’s games and a lot of international football matches on the internet. They brought back all the good memories,” he says. There is no talk of getting back on field — a topic Baljit tries not to think about.

The Sports Authority of India, which bore his treatment expenses, said that the doctors in US had given the go-ahead for his return. “The post-operative part of the treatment, which included cosmetic surgery, can be done in India. He will be kept at AIIMS where his treatment will continue,” said SAI official Praveer Krishn.