Blackburn midfielder Steven Reid has admitted he feared having to quit professional football at the height of his injury nightmare.

Reid has been plagued by niggling knocks over recent years, keeping him consigned to the sidelines for long periods.

And he has revealed the mental toughness required to keep bouncing back was almost lost on him at one stage over the past 12 months.

The Republic of Ireland international is closing in a first-team recall at Rovers, but he admits he wondered whether he would ever play again after being laid low by a career-threatening knee problem.

"It's been a long, lonely journey at times," Reid told The Sun.

"Sometimes I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel, especially when I was training in the gym on my own and doing the rehab on cold mornings in January.

"I'd be lying if I said there weren't moments when I wondered what I'd do if I had to pack it in.

"Now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

"I want to get back and repay the manager's and the fans' faith in me. If I can do that and play well then the future will take care of itself.

"I've something to prove to the boss, who hasn't seen a lot of me since he arrived."