Wolves defender Jonny Castro Otto has revealed he feared for his future at the club after sustaining his second knee injury.
The Spaniard is currently enjoying some fantastic form back in the starting XI.
The star has started the last six Premier League games for Wolves, with Nelson Semedo and Ki-Jana Hoever having both been on the sidelines.
He’s been improving week on week, and the former Atletico Madrid man has also even chipped in with a couple of goals.
He was among the nominees for the Wolves’ Player of the Month award for March. He also recently came in for high praise from Bruno Lage.
It is fantastic to see him playing to a high level again, especially given what he has been through.
Last season, Jonny suffered an ACL injury in training, after he had only just returned from another injury of the same kind.
After coming back from that first setback, the £18 million star was only able to play a handful of games, before having to spend many more months on the sidelines.
It was a hugely frustrating time for the 28-year-old, who admits he felt fearful about his future at the club.
He said (via BT Sport): “If I said no, I’m maybe lying. Sometimes you think the third time might come again. It’s true.
“Sometimes the thoughts were there but I tried to put those things (out of my mind), concentrate and put all of myself forward in training and keep improving my injury.
“Now I feel well, I’m 100% but it’s normal you can think (about) all these things.
“It was a difficult time for me and my family too. Sometimes I was frustrated but I came back really well again. So many people were there for me, my family, all my teammates, all the people working for the club.”
Jonny went on to say that he feels good after his second surgery and he ‘doesn’t feel it’. He supposedly feels ‘better than before’, which is very encouraging.
Jonny has shown huge mental strength to bounce back for Wolves
Jonny deserves absolutely huge credit for working his way back to the level he’s at now.
He is playing brilliantly right now, and that is such a relief given the serious nature of his injuries.
One ACL injury can seriously impact a player’s career. So the fact Jonny has had two and is now playing as well as he is is remarkable.
To spend so much time rehabilitating must have been very demoralising.
Thankfully, Jonny’s work ethic and mental strength have allowed him to return, and Wolves are much better off for having him around again.