Aidan Denholm recalled the sheer frustration of a second debilitating injury as he gets set to resume his Livingston career following an eight-month absence.
After signing from Hearts last August, the 22-year-old midfielder sustained a hamstring injury on his debut against Kelty Hearts in the League Cup and went under the knife for a second time, after suffering a similar injury playing on loan at Ross County from the Jambos, which kept him out for the second half of last season.
Prior to Saturday's trip to St Mirren, the first of the five post-split Premiership fixtures and where Livi could officially be relegated if results go against them, fit-again Denholm summed up his season to date.
"Probably one word – frustration," he said.
"Signing here to kick on in my career as obviously I got injured on loan at Ross County and then first game it happens again, which is incredibly frustrating.
"But this rehab has been a lot smoother and I've not had any hiccups so far, touch wood. The club's been different class for me and supported me through it.
"It's not easy having two surgeries at the age of 22. Before then I was pretty fit and never had any real injuries, so the season has been pretty frustrating and watching the boys was even harder.
"Watching the boys train when you're in a leg brace and can't put your leg straight.
"I don't think anyone can play down that surgery is probably the hardest part, you can't do anything, you're bed-bound. I was in a brace for eight weeks. You can't straighten your leg.
"It was incredibly tough the second time around. My family have all been through it as well so it's not just me. They've had to deal with my moods and my girlfriend as well, she's had to put up with me."
Livi are bottom of the table, 12 points behind Kilmarnock and 14 behind St Mirren.
Denholm said: "It's been a difficult season for me personally and for the club.
"But we're not a million miles away and it's not done yet, so the approach is we go there and try to get three points."
