Young Swansea City talent Jordan Garrick has revealed his thoughts after suffering his first career injury within professional football, not long after returning to action.
The 21-year-old has been out since the middle of October with a hamstring injury, and returned to action for the first time on Monday night as he played 45 minutes for the under-23s in their home clash with Newcastle United under-23s.
Speaking to the club's official website, Garrick said: "I speak to my team-mates and the coaching staff a lot. They’ve done very well to keep me involved because it can be difficult when injured players are doing their rehab,” said Garrick.
"Everyone has been really good to me and that has made it easier accepting how long the injury was going to sideline me.
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"An injury can defeat a player sometimes, but it’s part of learning so I know if I get an injury again that I am mentally strong enough to overcome it."
The injury came at a tough time for the winger, as he had found himself on the fringes of the first-team beforehand, making seven appearances and scoring one goal during the first few months of the season.
Manager Steve Cooper revealed not long after Garrick's injury that the young winger was now firmly a part of his first-team plans, as the 21-year-old has gone from strength to strength since making his debut in August.
The Swansea academy graduate has played a key part this season when he has been used, his pace earning a penalty in the 4-1 win over QPR after he had been fouled while racing into the box.
The Verdict
The first injury in their career for a young player is always the hardest, as they attempt to overcome that mental barrier of getting back on the pitch after a while off of it.
Garrick appears to be in good spirits and he has succeeded in making his way back onto the pitch, despite suffering one or two setbacks along the way as he now looks to get back in the Swansea matchday XI.