Ghanaian attacker MICHAEL Folivi has vowed to return stronger than ever after a freak injury put his potential Colchester United return on hold.
The 23-year-old had been all set to sign a new contract with the U’s last month, having played his part in helping them stay in League Two, last season.
But a day before he was due to put pen to paper on a deal at Colchester, the young forward suffered an Achilles tendon injury while taking part in pre-season running which resulted in him having to undergo surgery.
Folivi is now in a cast and is set to miss the start of the new League Two season which kicks off on August 7, with a deal for him to return to the U’s now on hold.
It is rotten luck for the likeable former Watford and AFC Wimbledon striker – but he is determined to bounce back from the setback and come back even stronger, hopefully with Colchester.
Folivi said: “I had everything agreed, all of the paperwork, everything and I was flying, to be fair.
“I was in the best shape of my life.
“I went back to London and I was doing some off-season work with some players.
“While I was running, I pushed off my left Achilles and I turned around thinking someone had kicked me and no-one was there.
“I couldn’t walk or put any pressure on it – I knew that I had something bad.
“My leg started swelling up and I was in A and E for eight hours.
“I was absolutely distraught and in tears, to be fair.
“It was a freak injury, off the ball.
“It was just the way I planted and it literally could happen to anyone.
“But I was meant to be signing the deal the next day and mentally, it’s killed me.
“It’s the worst timing in the world.
“Hayden (Mullins) was really upset for me – they all are, to be fair.
“They’ve all sent me messages and their best wishes and the surgery was done quite quickly.
“I was proper upset and I’ve been in a dark place since but I’ve had five minutes of feeling sorry for myself and I’m a tough character and I’ll come back fitter and stronger from this.”