Megan Campbell has requested a new shirt number at Manchester City as she wants to banish all memories of her injury nightmare.
Sidelined for 17-months with a cruciate ligament injury, the Republic of Ireland star only returned to action in February.
City won the FA Cup and League Cup double and finished second in the Premier League to Arsenal - yet Campbell felt like a bystander for most of it.
But poised to sign a contract extension at City, she is looking forward to a fresh start next season with club and country.
“It was a successful season for the club, but not so successful for me in terms of playing time,” she said today.
“Those things creep into your mind when you’re injured, especially over a long period of time.
“There were times when I thought ‘do I just stop football now because it had been so long and I had done my ankle previous to that’.
“You’re thinking ‘It’s not for me or maybe I won’t be injury free or train daily week in, week out the way I used to.
“But with the support of family, friends and people outside who helped me get back I was like “Actually, I don’t know why I ever thought like that because I’m fine now”.
Campbell continued: “I’m going to close the chapter of the injury, come back, sign a new contract with City in the next week or so and start afresh.
“I’ve asked to change my number (currently No 20) as I want to start fresh and close everything... I just want a clean slate.”
Back in the Ireland set-up following friendlies against Wales and Italy, Megan is eyeing the start of the Euros qualifying campaign in September.
Colin Bell’s charges face Germany, Ukraine, Greece and Montenegro in their group and Campbell said: “The way we’re going is the right way.
“I don’t there’s any reason why we can’t qualify for a major tournament. We’ve got the likes of Germany which won’t be easy.
“But there’s no reason why we can’t compete and beat those teams any more because the gap is closing.”
The SPAR FAI Primary School 5s National Finals took place in AVIVA Stadium today where Ireland international Megan Campbell supported girls and boys from 13 counties as they battled it out for national honours.
