LUKE Winsper is officially on the road to recovery after revealing he thought that at one point he may not play football again.

The Terras’ midfielder admitted “the last six months have been hell” throughout his injury struggle, caused by a trapped nerve in the same foot he broke at Bashley in March 2014.

Believing the operation to remove the nerve – which he went under earlier this week – has been a success, Winsper is now targeting a return to action for the Terras later this year, as well as looking to watch the upcoming pre-season friendly against Yate Town.

Speaking about the procedure, the Weymouth man told Echosport: “The surgeon said that he found the nerve and he could see why it was troubling me so much.

“I thought he was going to cut into the bottom of the foot but he has actually cut into the top, so it will be easier for me to walk on it sooner rather than later. It’s just about kicking the football now.

“Two of my toes I won’t feel ever again but he said it won’t affect my balance or anything like that. I knew it had to happen if I still wanted to play football.

“He said it went well and, hopefully, in four weeks I will be able to walk around properly. I might be able to come back sooner than September.

“I know it’s done now and when it’s healed I can actually play football again.

“The last six months have been hell and you just don’t think you are going to play again, so when I am back I am going to be absolutely buzzing.”

Describing what it will be like when he steps out at the Bob Lucas Stadium on his return, Winsper claimed: “It’s going to be amazing.

“It’s a massive relief. I just know I have to look after my foot, get myself fit and I will be back.

“I am already excited now because I am halfway there, I just have to wait for it to heal.

“I see a few of the fans around in Weymouth and Dorchester and they all ask if I am staying and how I am getting on. They say they want me to stay which is good to hear.

“All of the lads wished me luck on the day, even some of the lads that were there last year as well. I just have to re-pay them when I get back.”

And there is nobody that Winsper wants to pay back more than Terras’ player-manager Jason Matthews, who is set to re-sign him for the upcoming campaign.

“Jason has stuck by me," added Winsper. "He said that even though last season was a bit of a write off he wants me to stay and to live up to my potential.

“I might be back in training at the end of August but we will see, I don’t want to push myself too much.

“Now I know the operation has worked, all it has to do is heal and I will be ready to go again.”