AFTER the honour of being appointed Partick Thistle captain in summer 2013, Sean Welsh now finds himself having to prove his fitness this pre-season in order to have a short-term contract extended beyond August.
It's safe to say the last two years haven't gone to plan for the 25-year-old midfielder. Since being given the armband by manager Alan Archibald upon the Maryhill side's return to the top flight, Welsh has started only 12 competitive matches, with only one of those coming last season.
Just as untimely injuries hit the talented Edinburgh man's hopes of making his mark at first club Hibernian, he has now found his second chance with Thistle severely hindered by a wretched tale of fitness woe.
After starring in the team's 2012/13 First Division title success, a groin problem which surfaced in October 2013 effectively ruled him out for a year. His subsequent comeback bid was then dented by a fresh knee injury, sustained in his first start back, which ruled him out for another three months. Then in January of this year, in his first start back after that, he broke his ankle and missed the rest of last season.
Having shone in Tuesday's pre-season friendly win over Eastleigh after returning fully fit for pre-season, Welsh is confident he can prove to the Thistle management that his injuries are behind him and that he has the staying power to merit extending his three-and-a-half-year spell at Firhill.
"I've had a good pre-season so far, everything's gone well," he said of his latest attempt at a return. "I feel in reasonably good shape – I just need match sharpness now. We'll review the contract situation in August and see where I'm at, so there's extra pressure to make sure this pre-season is a good one.
"I've got to prove to everyone – myself included – that I can stay fit and shake off the bad luck. The gaffer has been great – he's stood by me and I need to prove he was right to put his faith in me and that I'm ready to go for the season. I'm confident things will work out."
Welsh admits he finds it hard being viewed in some quarters as a crock when he believes his wretched run is merely down to misfortune.
"The injuries are not related – I've just been really unlucky," he said. "People always tar me with the injury-prone brush and say I'm a risk, but it's just bad luck. What can I do if I keep coming back on to the pitch and getting a bad one from a tackle? It can happen to anyone on the pitch."
Determination has been the key for Welsh in a battle which has taken its toll mentally just as much as physically.
"It's been hell," he said. "It's been a really hard time for myself and my family. Sometimes you think it's just not meant to be, but I would never give up. I've got a strong mental attitude and I think I'll be even stronger after this. Thankfully there's light at the end of the tunnel now and I seem to be coming out the other side."
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