It’s been about two years since you last played a game of professional level football. How do you put into words just what that journey has been like to bring you to the place you’re at today?
“It’s been really, really, really, really, really, really, really tough. And that’s to put it lightly. I honestly wouldn’t wish the last two years I’ve had on anyone. To get so close to playing again only to snap my ankle ligament two days before the first game, which I originally thought was only going to be a three-month injury. But then two months after that, and the operation, to be told it hasn’t worked and it turns into a nine-month injury, it was just a nightmare.
“It was mentally so tough as well and I always like to pride myself on how tough I am, and even that was really tough for me. My partner and I have had our daughter now which really does put a perspective on everything and that has really helped me through it. And my partner has been amazing as well.
“It’s been really tough but I’m hoping now to get back on the pitch and almost just draw a line under all of it. What’s been has been and it has made me a stronger person for it, without a shadow of a doubt, and I just want to look forward now.”
Given this journey, how life has been, what does today mean for you and for them in terms of not just being a Rovera player again, but a professional footballer once again too?
“They’ve lived and breathed and kicked every ball with me throughout my whole journey in football. Seeing what happened to me, I always said it was harder for them than it was for me because I was just living through it. I can just roll my sleeves up and get on with it, but it was tough for me and I always think it was probably tougher for them as well.
