Walsall Football Club midfielder Sam Mantom has spoken to the press ahead of Tuesday evening's Sky Bet League 1 clash with Sheffield United, and has discussed his lengthy injury lay-off, which before last weekend's draw with Milton Keynes Dons, had seen him make just a handful of substitute appearances during the current campaign.
Speaking to the Express & Star, Sam said; “There’s a big doubt when it gets past the five-month stage and there’s still no light at the end of the tunnel.
“When you’re still in the same position that you were three months previous – you do start to wonder what’s going to happen.
“I was quite fortunate that I’ve got another year here next season on my contract so that was nothing I had to worry about.
“But you do start to worry as it’s been a very, very long time out, which is something I don’t like to look back on now.
“The pain was obviously there. I wasn’t beating around the bush. It was causing me a bit of grief.
“I tried many days training and even played a few reserve games and I was probably 70 per cent fit to be honest, just trying to will myself through it.
"But now it’s the best it’s ever felt so I don’t think there are going to be any issues hopefully.
“The surgeon went in. He saw something which he needled and that caused a load of blood healing.
“Obviously I was in a brace for two weeks, didn’t bend it for two weeks and then it gradually got better and better and touch wood it’s sorted.”