Simon King has begun his rehabilitation following ankle surgery but admits he would be happy just to return to the Gillingham side before the end of the season.
The Gillingham defender has been out since rupturing ligaments in July. After the injury failed to heal itself naturally, he went under the knife in September and tentative treatment is now underway.
King, 26, is scheduled to begin impact work in mid-January, but the highly-rated centre-back told Kent on Sunday he would just settle for coming back before May.
“It’s going to be difficult because being out for so long you tend to pick up other little injuries along the way,” he said. “I’ve got to get my fitness back, so I’m just hoping I’ll get to play some part of this season.”
The long weeks since picking up the injury have given the defender plenty of time for reflection. Never far away from his thoughts has been a nagging doubt the injury was partly his own doing.
“In hindsight I don’t think I did myself any favours last year playing through ankle injuries,” he said.
“It was painful before and after games, but I didn’t really feel it during them. At the time I didn’t realise the damage I was doing to my body, you just want to play every game.”
For someone who had previously avoided serious injuries, King readily admits the time spent out has been a shock to the system, but is now able to look ahead with some optimism.
He said: “You do feel isolated and away from it – I think that’s the hardest thing to cope with.
“There’s a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Coming off the crutches, you could say that’s the most difficult part done now.”
POSTED: 02/11/2009 12:00:00
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