Florent Cuvelier vows to reach full potential for Walsall

The talented Belgian suffered an ankle knock at the end August which ruled him our for four weeks.

Cuvelier returned to the side for the games against Peterborough and Scunthorpe last month before then seeing his progress hampered by an ear infection.

The 24-year-old joined Walsall in the summer having initially enjoyed a loan spell with the club back in 2012.

And the midfielder believes he will soon be back to the form that made him such a hit at the Banks's Stadium.

"I'm determined to get back to the level I showed in my first spell here," Cuvelier said.

"I want to be that player again.

"It will come. Football is not as easy as people think it is. Mentally it is very difficult, it is very challenging.

"But you have your family around you, team mates and the manager helps you.

"As frustrating as it has been, you have to look long term.

"I really enjoy being a Walsall player and I'm determined to get back to my best for the club."

Cuvelier is no stranger to being on the sidelines having suffered a career-threatening knee injury while playing for Port Vale in 2014.

The midfielder ruptured his cruciate ligament, an injury boss Jon Whitney suffered in his playing career.

And the former Stoke man is grateful his manager understands what he went through.

"All players just want to play and sometimes you don't listen to your body as much as you should," Cuvelier added.

"Jon is good at telling me when I shouldn't be playing and when I need to take rest.

"It was very difficult when I was out for so long. It's horrible watching your team mates train every day and not being able to take part.

"Sometimes you take your frustrations home and take it out on people you shouldn't.

"I now really appreciate playing and being able to train.

"When I speak to people about my injuries, I say you never realise how good it is to play football until you get a big injury and people say it might be the end of your career."