David Wheater admits the injury he suffered on the final day of the Premier League season is the worst one of his career.
The Bolton defender tore cruciate ligaments in his knee against West Bromwich Albion on the last weekend and was ruled out for six months with what he describes as easily the most serious mishap he has experienced so far.
"It was a shock when the doctor told me but you have to get into your head that it's happened and it's going to be a long road.
"One of my good friends Matthew Bates (former Middlesbrough teammate) is out with his fifth cruciate injury at the minute and he's come back from every one. He's one to look to.
"So I'm texting him and he can be my inspiration - he sounds like a doctor he has had it so many times but he's definitely helping me through it all.""It's definitely the worst injury I've ever had. I've only ever had broken noses in the past - I can't remember ever missing much football," he told the club's official website.
