Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has revealed that he feared for his career when he was told he would miss three months with a thigh injury.
The 25-year-old picked up the thigh strain at the start of the season, soon after returning from a torn cruciate knee ligament, and the severity of the two injuries left him doubting whether he would play football again.
Leiva told The Sun: "My first injury was a huge blow, but the second simply left me shattered. Players can have muscle injuries after knee surgery but mine was not only severe but also happened in the other leg.
"The worst part was when the club doctors told me I was going to be out for three months. I didn't expect to be sidelined for so long.
"For seven days I had to lay down at home, knowing I had hurt myself quite badly but at the same time without the proper ways to divert my mind. Even picking my son up was not recommended. It goes without saying that I feared for the consequences for my career."
The Brazilian international returned to Liverpool's side for their 1-0 victory over Southampton at the beginning of December.
Darren Plant
