Coventry City defender Ben Turner, who has been struggling to recover from a troublesome knee injury, has had to resort to surgery to repair the damage.
The 22 year old Turner had hoped that the knee ligament injury he sustained over four months ago would heal naturally, but it hasn't and he has suffered set back after set back on his road to recovery.
Turner was probably Coventry City's most improved player in the first half of the season and was an early contender for the player of the season, but the knee injury picked up in November has sidelined him ever since and it is no coincidence that since losing the big man, City's form has dipped alarmingly.
After consultation with a knee specialist last week, Turner was told that in order to make a full recovery, surgery was required, so yesterday he went under the surgeons knife.
Turner now faces a month in plaster and using crutches before started on the hard work of regaining some semblance of fitness prior to the pre season training for next season.
Turner said to the CT: "I found out for definite last Thursday when I went down to see a specialist in London called Andy Williams and he assessed it, and based on scans I have had before they knew it was more than likely I would need it done."
"The plan was to give it as long as possible so it is a shame because I tried to stay positive and hope that I could play again this season. With the benefit of hindsight I wish I had had it done before but I suppose I am just fortunate that I am at the right end of my career to bounce back and come strong again. If I had been 30-something it would have been a lot worse."
"It is disappointing but everyone was trying to do right for me to play. It hasn't worked out but I will be back next season."
The original injury Turner suffered was a medial knee ligament tear, but at the time it was a borderline injury that may or may not have required surgery to repair, but the decision was made to allow it to heal naturally.
He was asked if he thought he had pushed himself too hard in an effort to recover. He replied: "I don't think so. I was pushing myself hard but that's what you have to do to get back from an injury but I don't think it would have made any difference because I could have left it a year and the bone problem would still be there. The scan showed a fragment of bone in there that needs to come out ultimately, whatever I did."
After so long out of the game the frustration ultimately meant Turner was actually looking forward tot he operation.
He admitted: "To be honest I was looking forward to the op because I just want my old knee back, the one that feels all right to walk about the place because I have known it is not quite right for a while, but I am not looking forward to the rehab and walking round on crutches for a month."
Turner revealed that he was unsure how well the ligament was attached to the bone and if there was insufficient attachment the surgeon would staple the ligament to the bone and then use a nylon splint to connect the two ends together.
He continued: "I think it was pretty much healed and if you were doing a normal day job you would accept that it is a bit dodgy but obviously I need it to be perfect doing what I do."
"The guy said I will be out for three to four months which means it is a big op, but football wise I am missing eight games and that's the way I am looking at it rather than four months."
"I have been out so long and it is a bit depressing looking at it like that, but the guy has a 100 per cent record and comes highly recommended having worked with Arsenal and Chelsea. His stats are impressive, having done the op 17 times and everyone successful so that's good enough for me."
"I have got to work on it all summer to make it strong enough for pre-season and I will be doing everything I can to get back."
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