Seamus Coleman has praised his support network at Everton and the Republic of Ireland for helping him through the early stages of his double leg break.
The Everton right-back has thanked his club and country team-mates, staff, family, friends and fans for their well wishes and match-day songs after suffering the injury playing for Republic of Ireland in March.
After a low period, Coleman insists he is upbeat now he is back "feeling like a professional footballer again" as he steps up his recovery at with Everton's medical team.
"Until something like this happens you don't always realise how fortunate you are to play for this club, to play for the national team and to have all that support behind me," he told Everton's website.
"I never wanted this injury to happen but it has reminded me that the club is amazing, as is the support I had from all the fans. All those well wishes will get me through this tough period because people have gone out of their way to send cards, to send prayers and it definitely gets you through it.
"It's been great to see everyone, people asking me how I am and how I've been. I can't emphasise enough the Irish players coming to visit me in hospital for the first few days and then all the messages from the lads back here. Jag(ielka)s' goal celebration was great; a nice little touch.
"Sitting watching the game with my friends and hearing the fans at Old Trafford, singing my song. I've heard the song sung plenty of times. It always felt good but it felt that little bit different when you're sat at home with your leg up and to hear them still singing your name when you're not on the pitch.
"Stuff like that means a lot when you're in the early stages of rehab and maybe a bit low. All that stuff got me through."
Coleman is not expected to play again until 2018 but the defender says he is a fighter and is looking forward to the challenge of getting back fit both his club and his country.
"I've had tough journeys before in the past. It hasn't been a smooth journey to play for Everton and to captain my country. It's something to start all over again and fight for," he said.
"I've started with very small exercises in the gym. I've been doing some walking in the pool and aqua-jogging. It's just good to be back in and around the club and feeling like a professional footballer again. I've been itching to get back.
"It's small steps but I'm ready to work. I'm really enjoying it and looking forward to the challenge ahead because it's going to be tough but I've had tough journeys before and this is just another one."