Arsenal midfielder, Santi Cazorla, is targeting a return to action next year, as he recovers from a 10th operation on an ankle injury.
Cazorla has not featured for the Gunners since October 2016, when he helped his team beat Ludogorets 6-0 in the Champions League.
Last year, the 33-year-old revealed he almost had his foot amputated due to infections.
However, after starting to walk without crutches, he appears to be more optimistic about his future in the game.
“There have been moments when I’ve thought about throwing in the towel. I’ve thought things like ‘maybe it is not worth continuing’.
“If things go well, maybe next year I can play at the top level again.
“The last surgery was seven weeks ago, and my tenth in total. The first surgery was risky because I took many corticosteroids and the skin deteriorated.
“Then a skin graft was proposed and after that, the infection ate my tendon,” he told RTVE.
SPORT