Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has insisted that he will only become stronger as a result of his ligament injury this season.
The 24-year-old was stretchered off in the Gunners' 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the start of January and will miss this summer's World Cup.
He revealed that he did not think the injury was too bad at the time and has tried to look at the positives, including the fact that there will be other chances for a World Cup.
"The day after wasn't too bad, then when it swelled up, obviously there was some damage but we didn't know the extent of it," Walcott told The Guardian.
"[Attending my child's birth in the summer] will be silver lining. A lot of footballer's miss out on the birth of their children and you don't get those days back. The baby is the one thing that keeps me going.
"I don't want to look back [at my career] in six months' time. I want to look back in 10-15 years and still be playing. I've bounced back before and it's made me stronger."
Arsenal travel to Stoke City this afternoon as they look to keep alive their title hopes.
Daniel Cross
