Ben Currie has lifted the lid on the “long, dark days” recovering from two knee reconstructions.
The England international first ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in September 2016, missing almost a year of action.
He battled his way back and played for England in the 2017 World Cup final - before suffering the same injury again in April last year.
Currie is now three matches into his latest comeback with Warrington and has shown flashes of the form that earned him international recognition.
But he admits it’s been a tough road back since the second devastating injury.
Currie said: “It was scary.
“I was heartbroken - I didn’t need the scans to tell me, I knew that it’d gone again.
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“With it being so early on in the season I knew I’d miss the whole year and that was tough.
“Once I got my head around it I told myself it was now or never, and I knuckled down and did everything I could to get back.
“There were some long dark days on my own in the gym or with the other injured lads, and some days doubts go through your head.
“It’s horrible for any player watching a team play knowing they can’t be out there to help them, or when they’re training on the field and you’re stuck in the gym.
“It’s tough, but I had an injury partner this time in Jack Johnson, who broke his leg and stuck with me the whole time - I think that helped us both.
“You just have to trust all the staff around you, and there were plenty of players that have come back from two in the past as well.
“I spoke to them and they filled me with confidence - there was Jonny Lomax and Kallum Watkins, and Kylie Leuluai our player welfare manager at Warrington had two or three.
“I’ve managed to get three full games in since coming back and every week I’ve played I’ve felt a bit fitter and a bit more confident.”
Currie’s persistence has been repaid with England boss Wayne Bennett - who sent messages of encouragement during his recovery - naming him in this week’s 30-man performance squad.
And the back rower says Wolves coach Steve Price has also been key to his return to action.
Currie added: “He’s always had belief in me and what I can do, and he kept me involved as much as possible with video reviews and sessions.
“I’ve only played a handful of games under him and not really had the chance to show him what I can really do - I’m looking forward to doing that this year.”
