Ferrie Bodde says that his family kept him going during his 10 months on the sidelines

Bodde returned to the Swansea side this week after the lengthy spell on the sidelines - the 10 months that he says were the worst of his career.

Cruciate ligament damage suffered against Birmingham kept him out of action since last November and he told the News of the World "The last 10 months have been the worst of my career.

"It was hard because I'm someome who lives for playing football.   I play for my family.   I love seeing Fernando and Tiago (his sons) in the crowd.

"What happened last year really tested me because it was one of the worst injuries a footballer can have.  My family kept me going.  Melissa and my two boys were there for me and I needed that.

"I had a bad ankle injury when I was with Den Haag and was out for five months but this was much worse.   I'm lucky because I have a wonderful girlfriend and my two lovely boys.   They helped me so much.

"They played a big part in my rehab.  You could say they kept me sane.

"Melissa knew how much I was missing football.  She was always positive with me.   She kept telling me to keep working hard and that there was light at the end of the tunnel.

"To have my two boys around me was also fantastic.  They made sure I didn't think about the injury.

"We would have little kickabouts together and thats just what I needed.  It made me so happy.

"Melissa and the boys are the most important things in my life and I wanted to come back fro them.

"I know I was fortunate to have a family around me.  If I was on my own it would have been very difficult."

Bodde also revealed that he held no blame against Sebastian Larsson for the injury he received saying "It wasn't his fault it was just bad luck."

Photo: Action Images

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