CHARLIE Raglan says he has got his moping out of the way and is now focusing on coming back from an ankle injury stronger for Oxford United.

The centre back had surgery on Monday to repair two ruptured ligaments, sustained in training on the eve of the new season.

It is thought the 24-year-old will be out for at least three months – a huge blow to a player who signed this summer looking to hit the ground running after a successful loan spell last season.

Raglan admits the setback was hard to take, but has turned his attention to making sure he does everything possible to recover as thoroughly as possible.

He said: “It’s obviously very difficult when you first get told, but I’ve got my sulking out of the way now – it’s a case of getting on with it.

“You can’t really think about the consequence of missing football and training, the fact you’ve done pre-season.

“All these things are there and I’ve thought about it, but I have to get on with it.

“There’s a lot of people who have worse injuries.

“It’s been decided that the best option was surgery to come back stronger, healthier and better for the long term.

“That’s the most important thing.”

There is no good time to get injured, but being hit by a problem while attempting to impress a new manager only increases the blow.

However, boss Pep Clotet has been quick to offer his support, despite Raglan admitting there is little of comfort anyone can say at this stage.

He said: “The manager’s been really good to me since the injury.

“It’s just as difficult for the people around me to say anything because they can’t do anything about it. It’s down to me now.

“I appreciate the support from everyone, but it’s just about getting my head down.

“I’m focusing on the first step, which will be looking after the ankle that’s been operated on and following the instructions of the surgeon.

“My aim is to get through that stage and the sooner I get back to the training ground the better.”

The freak nature and timing of the injury is a repeat of the setback suffered by Christian Ribeiro 12 months ago.

But Raglan’s irritation lies partly in the fact that unlike the right back, who broke bones in his ankle, the former Chesterfield defender was able to walk.

He said: “That’s frustrating, because I can put weight through it and I’ve got a decent range of mobility.

“It doesn’t look like a bad injury.

“It’s just there’s a picture on a computer somewhere telling me I’ve got no ligaments.

“For a footballer, it’s not ideal.”