Friday 30 December 2016 14:43, UK
Motherwell midfielder Carl McHugh believes he is fortunate to still be playing football after a debilitating head injury.
The 23-year-old suffered serious concussion following a clash of heads with Kilmarnock midfielder Dean Hawkshaw on the opening day of the season.
McHugh was forced to leave the pitch at Rugby Park with a deep cut above his eye, which is now scarred, but he reckons the wound saved him from further drastic consequences.
"I played the game against Kilmarnock and I had the scar on my face but I felt all right afterwards," McHugh said.
"I felt grand and then it was four days afterwards that I went downhill and starting getting symptoms of post-concussion syndrome, the headaches and dizziness and the symptoms just wouldn't leave.
"It was very tough but getting the scar was probably a blessing in disguise because it meant I had to come off.
"At the time I didn't feel anything, I didn't feel like I was concussed. If you play on, that's when you can be in trouble. So that was probably a blessing in disguise getting my head split open."
McHugh returned to action in Motherwell's 2-1 victory over Inverness CT - the team's first away win in the Premiership since McHugh's previous appearance.
While the physical effects meant the Irishman needed complete rest, McHugh struggled to deal with lesser-known symptoms of concussion, such as anxiety and other mental issues.
"That was definitely the most difficult part," the former Bradford and Plymouth player said. "I would have been as ignorant about head injuries before: you have got a bang on the head, you will be all right in a few days.
"But it was a real eye-opener how much it can affect you and debilitate you on a daily basis. There were times I wasn't even thinking about playing football, it was just doing the simplest of things.
"There were long spells I wasn't doing anything. It was about four months that I didn't go for a jog or do a press-up. I couldn't do any activity and for someone who is very used to that, it's your job, it's what you get up every day for, to have that part taken away was a big challenge.
"But I was very lucky, the club let me go home for a while. They thought it was the best thing for me to go back to Ireland, that was massive and I am so appreciative of that. I was able to be round my family and my girlfriend and that definitely helped me through it.
"I had some tough days but everyone goes through tough times. I'm lucky now to go out in the morning and do what I love doing, go training and be involved in games. I am so happy that I am back involved."
