Travis Dodd has admitted he thought his playing days could be over after he hurt his knee in last weekend's 3-2 win over Melbourne Victory.
Perth Glory midfielder Travis Dodd has admitted he thought his playing days could be over after he hurt his knee in last weekend's 3-2 win over Melbourne Victory.
Dodd tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Victory and immediately feared the worst.
"It was difficult news to take," he said.
"After the game, the doctor and the physio were both pretty confident that the ACL was still intact and at worst I thought it was going to be twelve weeks.
"So when I got the news on Monday, I was pretty shattered because it's turned out to be twelve months.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't think that was it. It was all just negativity.
"I was upset and crying, but having friends around me, they helped pick me up afterwards.
"Talking about it helped and I'm a lot more positive in terms of my outlook now."
The 33-year-old is now weighing up whether to undergo a conventional operation or take the LARS option which has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its quicker recovery time, but which some doctors feel carries significant re-injury risks.
"I haven't made that call yet," he said.
"I need to weigh up the risks of the LARS option because from what I understand, there have been some problems for players in the past.
"Potentially playing in four to five months' time rather than 12 is definitely the favourable option from a football point of view, but I need to look at more than just the football point of view at this stage of my career and make sure that the knee is right for life after football as well.
"Even if I go the conventional route, I'm confident that the rest of the body would hold up and I would have a 12-month recuperation and there'd be no reason why I couldn't come back.
"I've got to see another surgeon today, so I'll get his advice.
"I've got a lot to think about, but I'm sure I'll make the right choice."
And the twice-capped Socceroo remains adamant that he will return to A-League action once his rehab is complete.
"I've had a couple of days to process it and accept it," he said. Now I'm looking forward to getting the surgery done and being positive.
"I don't want that to be the last game I played. I want to go out on my own terms and hopefully that will be the case."
Dodd will be joined on the sidelines this weekend by fellow-injury-victims Chris Harold (calf) and Shane Smeltz (head), along with the suspended Liam Miller.
But he believes that Glory have enough strength in depth to overcome his former club, Adelaide United and secure the three points they require to guarantee a finals berth.
"The injuries and suspensions obviously aren't fantastic," he said. But this game is all about having a strong squad and we are only as good as the last man in our squad. Players have to be able to come in and step up and I'm sure the fellas that come in will have a point to prove.
"They'll want cement their spots for the first game of the finals because I'm sure we'll win."