Southend striker Dougie Freedman has revealed how he came close to quitting the game this summer after an injury-ravaged campaign.
The former Scotland international managed just 18 appearances for the Shrimpers last season but marked his return to fitness with the only goal in Saturday's 1-0 win at Chelmsford. But the 35-year-old very nearly did not return for pre-season after constant worries over the state of his body.
"If I had broken down again during the summer then I would have given up," he told his club's official website.
He continued: "I've been concentrating on strength work and stretching and I'm feeling good again but if I had got injured then I would have just retired."
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