Former Blackburn Rovers captain, Darragh Lenihan, has opened up on his injury hell after leaving Middlesbrough.
The Rovers Academy graduate left Rovers in 2022 for the Riverside Stadium having turned down a new deal at Ewood Park.
After a successful debut campaign, Lenihan's last three years have been blighted by injury. He's had three surgeries, one on his ankle and one on either Achilles.
He admits that it has been a huge mental and physical challenge.
"It's a lonely place being injured," he told Northern Echo.
"At least when you're out on the grass with the lads, it's a team environment and that's what we love.
"The journey for an injured player is lonely and it's all self-motivation, but that is bringing you back into the team.
"The one thing I'd say, the best supporter I've ever had is my wife.
If it wasn't for her I think I'd have genuinely called it a day and thought enough's enough, but she always told me I can do it.
"When you have surgery, I've done it three times now, for the first six weeks you can't do anything. You're laid up 50-odd minutes of every hour, especially for the first two weeks.
"It is tough. You lose your sense of purpose. But as I said, my focus was what can I improve on? We're creatures of habit. I got into a routine of what I had to do each day.
"The days all blend into one and five or six months goes quite quick because you're doing the same things over and over.
"That is tough. The kids make you switch off. It's not about football, they want to play with lego or whatever and that was brilliant.
"If you have no kids or no family or whatever, I think you'd be in a much harder place."
Lenihan's last surgery was in October, with the aim of being fit for the final months of the season. But Kim Hellberg's arrival coincided with the defender being re-registered from their 25-man squad in January, effectively ending his Boro career.
"I had the surgery straight away, maybe early October, maybe, give or take. It was as soon as could be," he said.
"My intention was to come back in February. I was going to come back in February in terms of fitness, which I was on schedule for.
"I found out in January I'd been deregistered. It is what it is. It was disheartening but I can understand it from the club's point of view and it is what it is.
"Ever since, my focus has been on ticking over and getting ready for next season, wherever that might be."
Lenihan insists he will play on and doesn't think his career is over. The 32-year-old is now a free agent and plotting his next move.
"I definitely do feel like I've still got a lot to give," he insisted.
"It's not like these are chronic injuries. I'm in a good place physically and mentally. I've been ticking over.
"I'm in a good place and I feel like I have a lot to offer. Whoever that may be, only time will tell.
"I feel in a good place. I'm looking forward to the next challenge."
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