TEN months is a long time in life and feels like an eternity in football.
It’s the time span that Stephen Turnbull potentially faces on the sidelines following a serious knee injury sustained during the 1-0 League Cup win against Blyth AFC.
As time ticked down in that contest, a reckless challenge left Turnbull on the turf in agony.
“It was a stupid tackle and it has cost me big time,”
the midfielder told The Highwaymen.
“But at the same time, we’ve all made a silly tackle at some point in our careers. Unfortunately this time I was on the end of it.”
Leaving Craik Park on crutches that night, and unable to drive home, the former Blyth Spartan would later discover major damage to his knee with the specialist insisting surgery would be required.
That takes place on December 12th, followed by a lengthy road to recovery which could span anywhere between six and 10 months.
Not overly concerned by the surgery, Turnbull – nicknamed Twinny by his team-mates – is more concerned about the time spent sat on the sidelines watching, instead of playing in the heart of the Morpeth Town midfield.
“I’m a very impatient person so I just want to get it done and get back playing and exercising,” continued Turnbull.
“Hopefully I will only be out for six months, but it could be anywhere up to nine months. To be honest, I am more gutted at the fact I didn’t play well at all in my last three matches for Morpeth. I don’t think I have given a true reflection of what I am capable of. I love to exercise, whether it’s football, squash or the gym, so being out injured is killing me.  But as soon as I have my operation then my sole focus will be to get fit. I’ll live a strict life, as in exercise and diet, until I’m back playing.”
With all at the club wishing Turnbull a speedy recovery so he is back on the pitch, the player himself has taken a diplomatic view on the injury and what is to come in what is sure to be a difficult time of recuperation.
“My knee’s still a little sore, but I get my operation on the 12th so the hard work starts from there,” he added.
“I am a little nervous about the operation if I’m honest but I’ll be under anaesthetic so I won’t know too much about it.
“These things happen in football and I’m determined to come back stronger.”
If that’s the case, Morpeth’s rivals have been warned.