Running is most footballers’ idea of hell on earth.
However, for AFC Wimbledon new boy Aaron Morris it proved a lifeline on the road to recovery from career-threatening injury.
Morris, who signed for the Dons’ last week, saw his first competitive action for 10 months as a late substitute in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at home to struggling Torquay.
It was his latest step on a long journey back from a sickening anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered playing for previous club Aldershot last April.
Having just turned down a new contract with the Shots, the then 23-year-old was suddenly without a club and facing a future in the game uncertain at best.
He admits there were times he wondered if he would kick a ball again, especially as there have been setbacks on the route and consequently that first running session back in September time left him feeling a bit like a kid at Christmas.
He said: “The mental side of a cruciate ligament injury is the toughest part, knowing you are going to be out for a minimum of six months is hard to get your head around, especially early on in your rehab, so at the beginning I was in a dark place.
“It was amazing running for the first time. Do you know what I never thought I would be so happy to run.
“For most players running is the worst thing ever, but not for me. It was a physiotherapist at Cardiff City (his boyhood club), who took over all of my rehab and it was about four months before I started running and I was like a dog chasing cars, running around as much as I could.
“I think as soon as you start running you get the bug back and you want to kick on.”
A phone-call from Neal Ardley, indicating his desire to sign him once fit was another spur for Rumney-born Morris and now the Dons’ boss has made good on his pledge, the utility player can’t wait to build on his initial cameo.
However, he warned fans it will be a few weeks yet before they see the best of him.
He added: "I’ve just got to repay the gaffer’s faith now, by getting match fit and getting some games under my belt.
“You can never be too fit. Running-wise I feel okay, so it is just that match fitness and sharpness I need, so I’m going to be joining up with the U21s to get some minutes under my belt.
“I think it could be a few weeks before I’m firing on all cylinders, but it should come soon enough - I’m feeling optimistic.”
