Ross County attacker Craig Curran has not given up hope of playing again this season.
The 26-year-old suffered a blow to his eye socket in August that has left him suffering frequent headaches, dizziness and fatigue.
Curran, who suffers from Crohn’s disease, made his return to first team action in October, only to be sidelined again by a recurrence of the dizziness and fatigue which have subsequently been exacerbated by glandular fever.
Despite his numerous setbacks the Englishman is determined to return and play his part in County’s run-in and said: “I’m getting better which is a good thing and hopefully I’ll be back sooner rather than later. I hope to play again before the end of the season but nothing is certain and I can’t say when I hope to be starting again, hopefully it will be soon.
“I’m not allowed to do any physical exercise whatsoever so I’ve focused on watching my diet and eating properly.
“I’ve had a mix of things. I’ve had glandular fever, my head knock and I’ve got Crohn’s disease as well, so my body has probably been at an all-time low following the head knock.
“It’s been so frustrating as for years I’ve struggled to get to the bottom of what’s been going on with my past niggles. When I do come back I believe I will be better than ever.”
Former Tranmere player Curran, signed from Nuneaton last year, is determined to do all he can to ensure he is back on the pitch before the end of the campaign.
He said: “I’m still getting head pains and have been given medicine. If that works in the next week or two then hopefully I can start doing some physical work. As far as the glandular fever goes, the fatigue isn’t hitting me as much now, but I’ll know straight away if it is still affecting me when I start training again.
“It has been horrible. There are days when it gets me down, but I’ve just got to be positive and stay strong. I know I will come through it and it is a case of when rather than if I come back.
“The one positive is my absence has let me fix all the little niggles that have bothered me for years. Physically, when I come back, it will be the best I’ve been since I was 18.
“Every game is massive for the club between now and the end of the season and I want to be involved. Hopefully I can come back and add a few goals. That’s my aim.”