Last weekend represented a particular milestone in the career of Andrew Teague. But it wasn't one he was keen to celebrate for it was a year to the day that he suffered his horrific leg injury in our local derby up the road at Stockport.

Aiming for a New Year return

It's been a long, hard slog for the young defender since then as he's fought back to regain full fitness. And whilst there have been undoubted low points, the 21 year old is hoping 2008 will be the year he gets his career back on track.

"Of course it's been a tough time. When your job is to play football then the last thing you want is to be sat on the sidelines for so long. There have been a lot of frustrating times, and it's easy not to start feeling sorry for yourself!"

"Thankfully through the support of my family, friends and everyone at the club I am confident that there is light at the end of the tunnel and I am really looking forward to the New Year and the chance to get back playing again."

"At the moment I would say I am about 80 to 90 percent of the way there. I started training with the youth team last month and just recently I've upped the workload by moving up to be with the first team. We had a 60 minute game, under match conditions, at the training ground earlier this week which was great. I didn't feel too bad after the game, just a bit sore but that is only to be expected. I just need to get more minutes under my belt and I know the manager is looking to sort out a few friendly games as well."

"Both he and Asa have been great with me. They've supported me from Day 1 and I want to be in a position to repay them. Realistically if I could get back into contention for a place in the squad in January I would be over the moon. The original diagnosis was that I would be out for at least a year so you can imagine how desperate I am to beat this injury."

"The lads have also been very supportive, and names like 'peg leg' have kept me going. I look forward to the day I beat them all in a sprint! I've been coming to all the home games but like most pros I'm not a good spectator. You just want to be out there with them. We've got a relatively small squad so hopefully my return will be seen as the same as getting in a new player given I have been out for so long."