Premier League cult hero desperate to play again after nearly 1,000 days since last game

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Ex- Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu is determined to make ‘the most difficult recovery in history’ as he attempts to return to the pitch following a near three-year spell out due to injury.

The Spanish winger has been out of action since a devastating knee injury he sustained when in action for Serie A outfit, Udinese. Deulofeu had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and while the recovery time for that injury is lengthy - usually an entire season - complications have seen the 31-year-old sidelined for almost three years.

Deulofeu’s knee became infected during his initial period of recovery and he has to receive monthly injections to manage to problem. Now battling back to fitness, Deulofeu has vowed not to give in. Speaking in an interview with The Guardian , the former Watford star said: “I know I’m trying something special.

“Maybe it’s the most difficult recovery in history. If I manage to come back it’ll be more than 1,000 days. But I’m a guy who takes care of himself and I think I can do it. If there’s one guy to do it, it’s me.”

During his recovery time, Deulofeu concedes there have been doubts over whether he would ever return, with retirement crossing his mind. But support from his family has continued to drive him as bids to make a comeback.

“Sometimes I’m thinking that,” he added. “Thoughts pop up that say: ‘Oh Gerard, finish, just finish because you already made a good career and have a family.’ But if I say to my wife that it’s too difficult and I don’t think I’ll be back, she says: ‘Let’s try, you’re going to do it.’

“That’s my strength: those positive messages from my wife, and the fact my kids want to see me playing. So I’m trying, but of course there are days when the thoughts are bad.”

Deulofeu is currently not contracted to a club, with his contract with former side Udinese having expired. But the Italian side have allowed him to continue his recovery at the club’s facilities.

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And while it has not been revealed whether he would be offered a fresh deal by Udinese, Deulofeu has his eyes firmly fixed on a comeback. He said: “I know that one day, if I’m playing out here again, this stadium is going to be completely full.

“I know how it’s going to be that day for this city and this club. It’s going to be a party. They know how much I love this club and how I played when I was available. We want to make history together.”

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