Jones on his wife's cancer battle

Walsall correspondent Nick Mashiter explains how winger Steve Jones' outlook has changed completely through his wife Lisa's battle with breast cancer.

Footballers are placed on pedestals and never expected to fall. Fans forget they are human, average people with families and worries.

Walsall's Steve Jones has suffered this year after wife Lisa was diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks before he was released by Burnley in June – a decision he found out through Sky Sports News.

After a nightmare summer, life is improving. But Jones believes his outlook has changed completely – putting his recent frustrating spell on the sidelines into perspective.

He said: "I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Neither of us have slept or eaten properly. She has coped really well. Instead of me pulling her through, she has pulled me through. I've learned to cope with it more. It has been a summer I'd never want to go through again.

"Life can be short and you have to make the most of what you've got. My perspective has totally changed after what has happened and I try to live life every day to the full.

"Footballers are only human beings. The Premier League is a totally different world and in League One it's quite tough. We have to come to work every day and do our best but things in life change."

While Lisa recovers, Jones' focus has been making sure sons Luke, 11, Jarvis, seven, and Milo, five, are looked after.

The player admits his own form for the Saddlers has suffered, but it was his first start since August in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at MK Dons.

He said: "We haven't really told them anything about it, because we don't really want to worry them. They have kept the wife going, they are a real handful.

"You wake up in the morning and they are fighting and messing around. The management have been great as I've had to have time off to go to hospital appointments and I haven't slept or eaten the right foods at the right times.

"I haven't been fit and missed quite a bit of pre-season as I was in hospital with the wife, so it affects you and your game."

It means priorities in the Jones household have changed, especially with the winger closing in on his 33rd birthday on October 25. The 29-cap Northern Ireland international has already been asked the question every professional player dreads – what's next?

He said: "After 30 it really starts to kick in and people ask what you are going to do after football and you think 'oh my God,what am I going to do?'

"I can play until I'm 37 or 38, because I'm one of those players who doesn't put weight on or has ever had any bad injuries.

"I've played in the Championship most of my career and that should stand me in good stead."

Jones is now planning to take his UEFA 'A' licence in Belfast next year and is desperate to stay in the game at whatever level possible, after 394 career appearances and 103 goals.

He said: "I want to play as high as I can for as long as I can. Then in the summer when people are on holiday I'll be doing my badges."