Richard Hinds is tentatively eyeing a Christmas return after suffering injury hell in the Owls' loss at Wolves last month.
The former Scunthorpe utility ace was carried off the Molineux turf in agony in stoppage-time, just a week into the new season on August 16, after fracturing his fibula – the lesser bone in the lower leg – and dislocating his ankle.
With Akpo Sodj
e also suffering a serious hamstring injury on the opening day of the season – and the likes of Frankie Simek and Francis Jeffers also out of action – boss Brian Laws needed the setback like a hole in the head.
But despite his own personal woe – with Hinds spending a few nights in hospital in the midlands – the lifelong Wednesdayite is still counting his blessings and refusing to feel sorry for himself, while steadfastly remaining mentally strong.
Speaking to Yorkshire Sport, the 28-year-old – who Laws plucked from former club Iron on a two-year deal in the summer of 2007 – said: "The first few days after it happened I was in a bit of shock.
"But you are in hospital and you see people who are a far worse off than you. I'm quite fortunate in a way.
"At the end of the day, it's a broken bone that will recover and I've just got to work hard to get back.
"I've got my head around things now and I just see this as the next challenge in my life.
"It's a challenge I'm looking forward to in a way, because it means I've got something to look forward to in getting back.
"It's going to be hard work, but it's a good challenge.
"It's one of those things that's going on at Hillsborough at the moment.
"Everyone seems to be picking up nasty injuries, I don't know whether there's a curse around the club or something.
"We've had more than our fair share over the past couple of years.
"As far as I'm concerned, I've had the operation now and that's gone well. I'm wearing a (protective) boot now and I'm walking around.
"The first target has got to be walking properly and then onto running and then, after that, getting back playing.
"The main thing is I've got to have a target and I've got to work hard to do that.
"And hopefully, it's sooner rather than later. It's difficult to set a date on things at the minute.
"But when I get the boot off we'll know better dates then.
The full article contains 426 words and appears in Yorkshire Sport newspaper.
