“THE first time I did a few jumps in the gym I was so scared, because you think it’s going to go again.”

When it comes to recovering from serious injuries, overcoming the mental challenges can be just as tough as the physical ones.

Curtis Nelson saw first-hand last season what it took to return from a ruptured Achilles tendon, when Aaron Martin and Wes Thomas, suffered similar problems, but it did not make his own comeback any easier.

“It’s always difficult, because it’s a serious injury,” the Oxford United skipper said.

“Aaron and Wes had it last year and I know what they went through to get back.

“But I trust in what Procs (the U’s head of sports science and medicine Andrew Proctor) and all the medical staff were saying to me, so I just pushed myself through it and got it done.”

Although it was by far the longest lay-off in Nelson’s career, the five months spent on the sidelines was less than expected.

The U’s skipper was ruled out for the season, but made a cameo appearance off the bench in last weekend’s win over Southend United.

And it was followed by 90 minutes at Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night, where the 24-year-old slotted in as if he had never been away.

The long absence is likely to have taken its toll, though, and he is thought to be unlikely to stay in the side for tomorrow’s visit to Doncaster Rovers.

Nelson returned to a side battling relegation – a far cry from the situation when he was carried off in November, with United just two points away from the Sky Bet League One play-off positions.

His time on the sidelines saw Pep Clotet sacked, an eight-week caretaker spell under Derek Fazackerley and the start of Karl Robinson’s reign.

All the while the side have slipped down the table, with Nelson’s absence unquestionably a factor.

And it has proved a tough watch for the United captain, who has been an injured player providing support to the rest of the squad – the opposite of what normally happens.

He said: “That’s the worst part of it, feeling helpless.

“The only thing you can do is be there for the boys off the pitch around the training ground and making sure we stay in good spirits.

“That’s mainly what I’ve been doing since I’ve been injured, keeping everyone up and positive.”

The biggest boost Nelson could provide was returning ahead of schedule to assist their bid to stay up.

Midfielder James Henry said: “It’s excellent, he’s such a leader on and off the pitch.

“It’s fantastic to have him back, he’s such a good guy to have in and around the squad.

“He’s a very valuable asset to us.”