Injury has given Walsall's Rory Holden perspective
Rory Holden believes the knee injury that kept him out for 15 weeks of the season has made him a better person in the long-run.
The 23-year-old damaged his lateral collateral ligament in training in mid-December and after initial fears that his season was over, scans proved he had strained it and would not require surgery.
As a result he was able to finally return to the field on Good Friday, coming off the bench against Harrogate.
An injury to Caolan Lavery against Leyton Orient on Monday then meant the midfielder was given 45 minutes as he increased his workload since returning.
Now, Holden insists his time away from the pitch has helped shape his 'perspective'.
"When it happened I didn't think it was too bad," Holden said.
"I had the ball, went to pass it around the corner and the way I twisted I sprained my LCL.
"It was tough at the time but now I think it's made me a better person for it. I've realised how mentally strong I actually am.
"It put football into a bit of perspective for me.
"Every day I used to think about football and the highs and lows, now I try and keep on this one level the whole time.
"I try not to get too down when football isn't going the way I want it too."
Holden managed to create a handful of chances against Orient as he gets up to speed on his return and the midfielder was delighted to get back on the grass.
"Initially we thought I would need surgery and would be out for the season but thankfully it didn't turn out like that," he added.
"The medical department have been fantastic with me and we've been working every day to get to this moment now.
"If I play one game or two games I'm happy, as I didn't think I would play any at all.
"It was an amazing feeling to get back on the pitch.
"Against Harrogate I felt a bit rusty and a few things didn't come off that I wanted to, but I felt against Leyton Orient that I was more effective.
"Hopefully now I can kick on from that 45 minutes, play more and keep it going.
"It is tough obviously, as returning to training the boys are a lot sharper than I am.
"They've all helped me massively to get me through the sessions."
