Inverness defender Graeme Shinnie has been in the same boots as Manchester United's Darren Fletcher in the past.
The 22-year old full-back was struck down by the same chronic bowel condition in 2011 that Fletcher has suffered from recently but fought his way back to the top and is now a key part of the Caley line-up.
Shinnie told the Daily Record that he understands what Scotland ace Fletcher is going through and hopes the United midfielder can be back playing regularly just as he has been since recovering in August 2011.
"I do appreciate just still being in the game. I was watching the Manchester United match at the weekend and saw Fletcher coming back," he said after Fletcher played 20 minutes against Aston Villa.
"It was great to see him on the field again and it just brought it home to me because I have been exactly where he was. Fortunately I recovered a bit quicker than he has done but just to be involved in the game is a major positive given where I was at that time.
"When you are in that situation, you don't know if you will get back so it does give you a different perspective.
"I go out there and give it everything I have because you never know when it might end.
"You have to enjoy it while it lasts. It was a pretty scary time but I read Darren saying in the papers he always remained positive throughout it all and that was kind of the same for me."
