Luke O'Nien says he could not have scripted a better comeback than scoring a crucial goal on his return after three-and-a-half months on the sidelines. O'Nien came off the bench to score Sunderland's second goal as the Black Cats came from behind to win 3-1 against Fleetwood Town at the Stadium of Light and reignite their play-off challenge.
It was O'Nien's first outing since the end of November, having undergone shoulder surgery to cure a longstanding problem, and he was delighted to play such an important part in the win. "It's been a tough three-and-a half months but for moments like that [the goal on Tuesday] it was worth it," he said.
"You do all your rehab and do all your work for moments like this and I couldn't have really wrote it much better on a personal note - and for the team as well." O'Nien admits he found it hard when he was out of the side and last month he detailed his thoughts and insecurities in a social media post, outlining the physical and emotional struggle he went through while undergoing his rehab work.
Now he has made a successful return, he has spoken about the support he has received. He said: "It's been difficult being out of the side and I think you learn a lot about yourself.
"I have real good people around me. I have a performance coach that I see away from football, his name is Rob Blackburn and he has been very key in helping me have moments like Tuesday night. My partner has put up with me during some difficult times because you do what you do to go out there and when you can't it's difficult and challenging and you have to rethink the goals.
"I can only thank the people around me in terms of my partner - and our little one has been my pre-season, chasing her around the house! It has its challenges but when you are coming back in, in your mind it helps and moments like Tuesday makes it worth it.
"I think it's harder when you are younger and haven't been through it as many times - although I'm actually getting old now, we did old vs young in training and I was in the old team! With the experience I think you can draw on that, but you will get through it.
"I think it's harder in your earlier years and you haven't been through it and you're like 'am I going to get through it.' You always question it a little bit.
"You still have moments when you question things and I think that's normal, that's why I put the post on social media that people have talked about and I think it's important to show that side. It's OK to have a struggle now and again, it's everyday life, it's normal and people across the world have that.
"I just wanted to vocalise that and connect with people." Of the post itself, he added: "It's not easy because you have to be a bit vulnerable to do it and you never know how people are going to react.
"My goal when I did that wasn't for sympathy or anything like that, it was just to maybe to connect with one injured person and I probably got 50/60-plus messages from injured people in football and away from football, someone from the West End messaged me as well and resonated with it. My aim was to connect with one person and I connected with lots of people.
"I'm just delighted I could have a small impact and just connect with people to help them through that or help me through that." O'Nien was one member of a group of Sunderland players with long-term injuries, and none have been out longer than defender Jordan Willis who has been sidelined for more than a year with a knee problem.
O'Nien said: "Willis has been brilliant just for me on a personal note and I can say that on behalf of the team as well. He's been like a mentor and a friend to me just kind of guiding me because he's been through this process a lot longer than I have.
"He is still a vital part of the team giving advice from the sides positional wise as well. He's a great guy and I'm looking forward to his return. He came up to me on Tuesday and said he was delighted when I scored."
O'Nien's injury was the result of a dislocated shoulder he originally suffered in December 2020, and which kept slipping out of place. Ultimately, the medical advice was that he needed an operation and he went under the knife in November.
O'Nien said: "The physio team have done a really good job working with me and the surgeon was brilliant. I have been sidelined for quite a while and seen the boys putting their bodies on the line so it was finally nice just to contribute and help at the right time so it was a good night."
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