Dundee United midfielder Peter Pawlett "can't wait" to be pain free for the first time in five years after undergoing surgery.
The United star has battled with a niggling injury to his Achilles since way back in 2017, taking painkillers in order to make it through training and games.
But the pain has become increasingly unmanageable with it now having an impact on Pawlett's day-to-day life.
The ex- Aberdeen star confessed that the injury left him unable to walk after games – even forcing him to crawl on his "hands and knees" to the toilet.
To conquer the issue, the 31-year-old decided to undergo surgery last month.
It means Tam Courts won't be able to pick the wide man as he bids for Europe in the top six run-in, with Pawlett looking to return early into the new term.
He hopes upon return he will be able to play without the pain.
Speaking to DUTV, Pawlett said: “It’s been really hard for me with the pain that I have had for a long period of time.
“For 18 months I’ve been in pain and it has been really troubling me.
“It got to the point recently, when the decision was made to go for the operation. It was affecting me playing football.
“Normally, when you play 90 minutes as a footballer everyone has pains and niggles.
“But I was suffering all week in pain. The next morning after games I wouldn’t be able to walk. I was on my hands and knees going to the toilet.
“It was really painful.
“Over that 18 month period the pain has been gradually getting worse but the pain itself has probably been there for over five years.
“I’ve been taking painkillers to take the pain away. I’d suffer during the week for 90 minutes I’d load up on the pain killers."
The midfielder earned rave reviews after a good start to the season, netting five goals in 14 Premiership games.
He insists that he "just wants to play", hoping that the surgery will allow him to get back to playing 90 minutes comfortably.
He added: “I’m looking forward to scoring goals and winning games again. Those moments are special for a footballer.
“I have so much left to give mentally and in my legs and, hopefully, this operation will give me that extra bit of sharpness or speed to make an impact in games.”
