Coping with the dark days of injury: Rotherham United striker Jamie Proctor writes for the Advertiser

Don't get me wrong, footballers are very fortunate people who live an extremely privileged life, doing a job that others can only dream of.

That being said, it is a particularly short career, full of ups, downs and a huge amount of sacrifice not necessarily seen by people on the outside of the game. 

The short nature of our job is what makes the industry cut-throat and leaves players with a whole host of worries. Serious injuries, contract lengths, location issues and my young family are just a few of the concerns I have on a daily basis.

Injury in football is commonplace and no more so than for myself over the past two years. I've been lonely, detached and worried at my worst, positive, hopeful and confident at my best.

This period of my career has undoubtedly been the hardest, an absolute rollercoaster. A torn anterior cruciate ligament one year preceded resurfacing surgery on both hips the following season and that has understandably left me asking questions. What does my future hold? Will I fully recover? How many years have I got left? These are all questions that remain unanswered.

Sandwiched between the two injuries was a period of huge self-doubt. I spent a lot of time alone, with too much time to think. Nothing felt the same and I struggled to deal with my changing body and the ways I needed to adapt. All I wanted was to be back out on the pitch, doing what I have done since I was seven years old.

Fighting back from my ACL injury to score two goals this season against Wigan Athletic in the Carabao Cup was a proud moment, soon followed by my first Championship goal of the campaign against Hull City. 

Eclipsing all of this was a dramatic equaliser in the South Yorkshire derby versus Sheffield United, an incredible feeling and one of only a handful of highlights in the last two seasons from a personal point of view.

Shortly afterwards, I was brought back down to earth; specialist advice confirming more surgery was needed and ultimately the abrupt end to another season. 

The feeling of hopelessness returned and the idea of not contributing for the remainder of this season is dreadful.  I'm not going to lie, this time around it's been harder, every aspect of it.

I have just stepped up my rehab after two months on crutches and being practically housebound. It's a huge step for me and once again I can see light at the end of the tunnel. 

I had never had a significant injury in nearly ten years as a professional so to have two so close together has given me many battles to fight, both physically and mentally. 

However, my attitude has now shifted. The time to think used to be a hindrance. Now, I use the early starts and the evening swimming sessions as motivation and as a help to drive me on.   

In times such as these, you really notice the people around you. The positives need to be identified and cherished. A big positive throughout this time has been Rotherham United and everyone connected with the club. 

The manager, his staff and my teammates have been unbelievable. The medical staff deserve a lot for putting up with me as I know I'm not the easiest patient. 

Naturally, there is an inevitable separation from the squad, the daily routine, the changing room banter, the away trips and the time out on the grass. However, the togetherness the manager has instilled throughout the club is evident in situations like this where I have received overwhelming support, unlike anything I could have imagined. 

Being able to lead the lads out during their Wembley League One Play-off Final triumph last term was a moment that I was extremely proud of and I was grateful to be given the chance to do so.

That moment will stay with me forever, a huge positive made out of a negative situation, a big highlight in a tough period. This is the sort of approach the gaffer has day to day, and it spreads throughout the whole club. For someone with a long-term injury this is more important than you could imagine.

This attitude is quite obviously reflected in our squad. The character, the fight and the determination the lads have shown all season is testament to the group we have. On the pitch we prove the doubters wrong and give ourselves every opportunity in each and every game we play. 

The qualities shown out there on matchday are the same qualities that off the field make the dressing room such a privilege to be part of. 

Our run-in, on paper, is one of the toughest you could have asked for, but I'm sure we will go into every game as we have all season: positive and confident. 

Until next time.

PROC