Nathan Elder has assured Brentford fans his career is far from over and he is itching to get back into a Bees shirt for pre-season.

Elder is recovering well from the fractured cheekbone and eye socket he sustained in a sickening clash with Rotherham's Pablo Mills earlier this month.

The striker was initially blinded in his left eye, and there were doubts as to whether he would see, never mind play again.

But his recovery is such that Elder is already planning a return to action in pre-season.

He said: "It ran through my mind that I never might see or play again. It's something I've had to think about, but the chances are one in a million.

"The doctors are confident I'll make a full recovery, and I'm feeling good in myself.

"I had an operation the day of the Wycombe game on my cheekbone and eye socket which went really well. My vision's getting there. It's still a bit blurry, but I'm in a much better state. The doctors said the bone should take between six and eight weeks to heal properly.

"I've got to wait til the scars go down before I can do anything. Then I can do a bit of non-contact stuff.

"The positive spin of things is that I should be back raring to go for pre-season. I think I'm going to have to wear a Gazza-type mask, I'm not sure how long for though."

And Elder insists he won't suddenly become a shrinking violet when going up for high balls.

If anything, the injury, which saw Elder caught by Mills' elbow, has made him more determined to be a nuisance out on the pitch.

He said: "I'm not going to change my approach. In fact, people should worry about me. I need to jump even higher now to avoid their elbow.

"I'm going to play every game like it's my last. I don't want to fade into the background.

"I'm confident I will come back stronger. It hasn't affected me mentally. I can't stand watching though, and it's only been two weeks.

"The first thing I wanted to know after my operation is how we'd done. The support of the club, management, players and fans has been amazing. It's made me want to come back quicker.

"I owe Brentford a hell of a lot. Every player texted me the days following the incident, which just shows how close-knit we are.

"I live in the same block as Ben Hamer, Ryan Dickson, Gary Smith and Craig Pead, and they've been up to see me."

Elder clearly remembers the moments leading up to the injury, and although he doesn't hold a grudge against Mills, he insists the Rotherham man was at fault.

He said: "I won the header then remember landing on the floor. When the doctor was on the pitch he asked 'can you carry on?' But I had gone blind in my left eye. It was a nightmare.

"I've looked at it a couple of times, and I don't think it was malicious. But if you crash your car, even though you're a good driver, you still crashed your car.

"I don't harbour any bad feeling towards him. I'd just prefer never to have to play him again if we get promoted and they're stuck in League Two."

The biggest form of relief for Elder, however, is that he doesn't have to find a new club once he's recovered.

He also hopes for the chance to show he can cut it in League One if Brentford are promoted.

He added: "It's lucky that I've got a contract for another year. It's a weight off my shoulders. If I didn't have the extra year I don't know where I'd be.

"I played in League One with Brighton. I've got a bit of unfinished business there, and I'm confident I can cut it at that level."