Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tom Huddlestone has described his recent injury troubles as "depressing".
The 25-year-old returned to the Spurs squad in the last couple of months after spending over a year the sidelines with a serious ankle problem.
However, he has revealed that the close support of his family and friends helped him through and that he now wants to break back into the first team.
"It's been depressing at times," he told the club's official website. "But I've close family and friends who have been supportive and, luckily, there was always going to be light at the end of the tunnel, and that's been the case.
"It was frustrating last season not being to contribute. Hopefully now I'm over the worst of it, I can kick on and try to force my way back into the team."
Huddlestone may get the chance to feature for his club on Saturday when they host London neighbours Chelsea in the Premier League.