By Paul Brown

The prospect of a prolonged period on the sidelines would break most football stars - but not Wilfred Bouma.

The classy left-back admitted this week that his initial eight month spell out after dislocating his ankle was a breeze to handle.

But the Dutch star honestly revealed the final few months of the season - when a return to first team action seemed probable - and then impossible - were very hard to get through.

He said: "The first eight months after the injury were fine because I realised the magnitude of the problem and the approximate timeframe. I understood that and could deal with it, no problem.

"But the last two months were mentally tough. I had returned to action with the reserves and then it became obvious I needed another operation.

"That was hard to take. But I always say to myself that difficult incidents in your life make you stronger so this whole time in my professional life will make me stronger."