Jay Rich-Baghuelou has vowed to come back bigger and stronger next season.
The defender signed for the Reds in January 2022 and made a huge impact in the second half of the last campaign, playing 13 times and scoring two goals as Stanley finished 12th in League One.
However, just two games into the current campaign, the 23-year-old suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury at Shrewsbury which resulted in an operation and ended his season.
The good news for Rich-Baghuelou is that he is back running today – the first time he could put his football boots on since August.
“It’s been a while but today I can put my boots back on and run on the grass so it’s an amazing feeling,” said the Australian.
“Basically I did my ACL, that was the main injury which has kept me out for so long, and I put a divet in my bone as well. It was a very bad injury.
“I had had keyhole surgery on my knee when I was younger but, for this, they had to basically reconstruct my ACL.
“I was in a boot, a brace, I had a sling on my leg for a bit, everything. I have gone through it all.
“It’s was hard, getting used to not being able to play football. It’s been difficult but I have stayed focused on getting back stronger and fitter. I have hit my targets and today being able to be back on the grass is a big target for me. I am getting ready to kick on.
“I am getting stronger. When I come back I want to come back a whole different player, stronger, fitter, faster, more powerful and I'm working with the physios here to do that.”
He said it had been hard being on the sidelines while the team are in a relegation battle.
“I have to help them in a different way off the pitch, talk to them, keep them motivated even though they are already motivated. I just have to be a little boost on the sideline and hope it helps. That’s all I can do unfortunately.
“We have a great bunch of lads, a good changing room, we need to start winning games and we know how important it is to get points on the board. I am sure we will get over the line.”