THE flash of pain was immediate, but it took Wes Thomas a few minutes to realise the severity of his injury.

After coming on as a substitute and with Oxford United 4-0 up against Coventry City, the striker was licking his lips at the prospect of adding to his haul for the season.

Instead, within nine minutes his campaign was over – in November.

“When I first did it I thought the defender stepped on the back of my Achilles,” he said.

“It was only when I got back to the changing room I found out it was ruptured.

“I know people who have done it and they were out for a while.

“I pretty much knew then it would be a miracle if I played again this season.”

Injuries are part and parcel of sport, but Thomas’s was not for the squeamish.

His tendon had snapped, and the two ends were so far apart the only course of action was surgery.

Incredibly, the 30-year-old has experienced a more excruciating injury.

He said: “I tore my thigh once and that was bad.

“This was painful but it only lasted a few minutes because my whole leg went numb.”

Three months on, Thomas has made a welcome return to United’s training ground.

He can now walk without a limp and is stepping up sessions on the exercise bike and swimming pool.

There is at least company in the treatment room.

Aaron Martin suffered a similar problem three weeks later and was back at the training ground yesterday.

Progress is steady, but necessarily slow.

For a player whose game was built around bursts of speed, the former Bournemouth and Birmingham City hitman knows it is the only option.

Thomas said: “It’s just about taking one step at a time.

“I don’t want to put a time frame on it, because you never know how long it will take.

“It’s just about going through the process.

“I’m optimistic. Hopefully I not only come back the same player, but build on my strength and improve certain aspects of my game.

“Because I am an explosive sort of player I need to make sure it’s right before I step on that pitch.

“With Aaron there as well we’ll definitely going to have to help each other get through it.”

Thomas was in good spirits yesterday when it was pointed out the victory over Coventry began the side’s upturn in results.

“They seem to have improved,” he laughed.

“It’s great to see the boys doing well.

“Unfortunately I’m not out there, but it’s nice to see them playing good stuff.”