Barry Baggley admits it was frustrating having to watch Fleetwood Town kick off the new season without him.
Fleetwood started their EFL League One campaign on Saturday with a 2-1 win over 10-man Burton.
Baggley had to follow the score updates from his West Belfast home, nursing an injury that is set to keep him sidelined for the next 8-10 weeks.
"I suffered a stress fracture on my left foot during pre-season," he says.
"Someone stood on my foot about two weeks ago.
"I played on for a while as at first it wasn't too bad, but then it became evident there was something wrong.
"I got it checked out and it revealed the stress fracture, so now I have a boot on and will be out for a couple of months.
"It is frustrating, but injuries happen in football and you just have to recover well and bounce back."
Baggley - who is going into his third year at Fleetwood - had enjoyed an encouraging pre-season up until the injury.
"I was flying, and I was just looking forward to the start of the league campaign," the former Glentoran Academy midfielder added.
"I have been working hard but now I have to rest and recuperate.
"I am home for three weeks and then I will return to Fleetwood and continue my rehab and training there."
Baggley has progressed through the underage ranks to become a prominent feature in Joey Barton's plans at Highbury Stadium.
Since moving from Glentoran in 2018, the teenager has gone on to play for Fleetwood's Under 18s before being catapulted into the first team.
Baggley became the youngest player to ever feature for Fleetwood in the EFL when he came off the bench at Walsall last year.
"I am loving it here," the 18-year-old added.
"The manager has shown he has faith in the young players at the club, and if you are good enough you're old enough.
"There is a clear pathway here for the youth players, and that gives players plenty of encouragement and an added incentive.
"My main focus now is on recovering from this injury and getting back to football as quickly as I can."
