Friday 31 March 2017 11:58, UK
Crystal Palace defender Pape Souare has lifted the lid on the car crash that "changed him" and his subsequent battle back to fitness.
The Senegal left-back was left with a broken leg and jaw after a collision on the M4 last September that saw him airlifted to hospital and left him fearing his football career was over.
Souare has now opened up about six months of toil as he attempts to force his way back into the first-team picture - but admits he is reluctant to put a time frame on his return.
"I am not trying to set any target because I know I had a serious injury, so I have to take my time and not rush it," Souare told eagles.cpfc.co.uk. "I just want to do my best to get back when I can.
"I remember everything about the accident, but I didn't realise [how bad it was] straight away,"
"Then I couldn't move my leg and knew it was something serious. I thank God that some people came over to my car and started talking to me while I waited for the ambulance to come and get me out. They got me to hospital as quick as they could and I thank them."
The former Lille player, who is now back in the gym at the club's Beckenham base, says the incident has changed his perspective.
"What happened to me can happen to anyone," he said.
"It has changed me; it has given me life experience. When you are a football player you think that nothing can happen to you, so because of this kind of situation I have learned from and I think every player can too.
"It's nice to be around the squad again; the funny thing is they are going out to play and you are staying in the gym but it doesn't matter.
"I believe that everything happens for a reason, so I want to work as hard as they are outside because I want to be strong like them. It is not like I am just coming home and sleeping, I am working on my side and they are working on theirs so I can get back strong."
The 26-year-old knows his recovery will take time but has been boosted by the messages of support he has received from thousands of fans on social media as well as team-mates.
"People outside can tell you something, touch you and make you feel better so that is why I am trying to talk to everyone," he added.
"Every message they send me is very important to me; I might not answer but I read everything.
"They can't wait to see me back and I understand that - and I can't wait to be back."
Watch the full Pape Souare interview with Palace TV - a free service for CPFC fans - at eagles.cpfc.co.uk
