Yerson Mosquera provided a positive injury update last week, as he continues to recover from a serious knee injury picked up last September.
The Colombian suffered an injury to both his medial collateral ligament (MCL) and anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) in a challenge at Aston Villa earlier this season.
Four months on, the 23-year-old is back in the Compton Park gym and in a positive head space, with his rehabilitation going according to plan currently.
Mosquera said: “My recovery is going really well, and I will be pushing it further as soon as possible. I had an appointment recently and the doctor said good things, which is really important, because I can see my progress.
“At the moment I’m in the gym and I will be ready to do a lot of things. I don’t know when I’ll be back on the pitch, but I know it’s closer, and everyone’s happy to see me progress.
“I know the situation for the team and it’s really hard for me, because I want to play, but it’s impossible at the moment. We know we have good players and I believe in them, and that’s how we are as a group.”
Mosquera started the first five Premier League matches this term, having impressed on loan at Villarreal last season, so it was important for the player and staff to keep him around Compton Park even while sidelined.
The defender has remained part of the first-team group during each stage of his recovery, alongside his teammates, which has been crucial for his mental health during a challenging period.
He said: “The most important thing now is how I feel, I need to stay positive about everything. I feel strong, I feel positive. I have a good plan to improve my body.
“The staff are here for everything. They showed me how I’ve progressed, and they give me help, which is really good. I need to stay focused. I need to stay calm, because it’s a big injury and I need to recover well. My mentality is positive, always.”