Carroll hopes "horrible" injury woes are behind him

15th January
First team

Tom Carroll hopes a "horrible" spell on the sidelines is finally behind him after returning to training with Swansea City.

The 26-year-old midfielder has not played since the 3-1 victory over Blackburn in October as a result of niggling groin and hip problems.

But manager Graham Potter revealed last week that the former Tottenham man was due to return to training shortly, and Carroll has played a full part in this week's sessions as the Swans prepare to host Sheffield United.

He admits he has been lifted by being out on the training field with the rest of his team-mates.

"It has been a really frustrating time and I have been quite low at times, but it is great to be back with the rest of the boys now," he said.

"I've got a couple of sessions under my belt and I am feeling good, I am working hard. The staff have been great in helping me get back out there.

"Hopefully I am over the worst of it and I can crack on again and get myself available for matches again."

The injury problems struck at a time when Carroll had been holding down a regular starting spot in Potter's team, and had been on good form.

And he acknowledges it has been a blow to lose so much time so early in the tenure of a new manager, but hopes to be able to make his mark again sooner rather than later.

"For the month or so before the injury I had been playing pretty regularly and I felt I was really starting to get into it," he said.

"It's part of football but those are the hardest parts to deal with.

"You try and stay positive, but it's horrible. You want to be out there kicking the ball around with the boys. It's what you enjoy.

"But I will take it day-by-day, there are a few games coming up and it would be great to have some involvement."