Friday 18 September 2020 18:41, UK
Manchester City and England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley has opened up about her struggles and having a new lease of life after a year out with a hamstring injury.
The America-born star is England Women's most-capped goalkeeper, has represented the Lionesses at three World Cups and has been crucial in City's six-year spell of success.
It has been 12 months of agony, though, after leaving England's World Cup quarter-final victory over Norway in 2019 with a hamstring injury and her career looking in tatters.
However, a fit-again Bardsley is bouncing back and told The Women's Football Show: "There were some times where I just didn't think I was ever going to be able to play football again.
"I wasn't sure I was going to be the same player that I was. But after a lot of training, after some ups and downs over lockdown I just feel like I've kind of got a bit of a new outlook and a new lease of life.
"To be honest I just want to enjoy myself, I just want to have fun. I think the girls are all very understanding of my journey and where I've been and where I want to go.
"Because the squad is so competitive our goal is obviously to win but along the way we want to enjoy ourselves and we want to improve so I'm really looking forward to it.
"I honestly can't think of enough words to explain how grateful and how happy I am be be back on the pitch."
Bardsley also insists that she wants to control her journey out of the game when the time is right.
"You understand that it will have to come to an end one day but I'm going to control that narrative," she said. "I'm still going to set high targets, I'm still going to lofty goals and I'm going to aspire to achieve them.
"At the same time, you have to make sure that the transition, when it does happen, is as smooth as possible."
US World Cup winner Tobin Heath and Angel City president Julie Uhrman also join Jess Creighton and Sue Smith on this week's show.
