Injured Ervin vows to return stronger than ever

Jim Ervin is helped off the pitch at the Irish Cup final by Ballymena United medical staff Suzanne Rollins and Stephen McCurdy. The defender faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines with cruciate knee ligament damage.

The Ballymena United full-back has been given the diagnosis of cruciate ligament damage to his right knee after going off injured in the Irish Cup final defeat by Glenavon.

It is the second time in his career that Ervin has sustained the injury that footballers fear more than any other after damaging the cruciate in his left knee six years ago while playing for Linfield.

“I went to close down Shane McCabe and I stretched with my left leg and when my right foot landed it just buckled - there was no contact at all.

“When I did the other knee at Linfield, it was actually similar circumstances of no contact - my studs caught in the turf on that occasion.

“I knew I had done something this time but with the adrenaline of the cup final, I didn’t really feel anything until I tried to come back on and run and I knew then it was pretty bad.

“It was a double disappointment for me because even if it had happened with 10 minutes to go, you could say you had contributed to the cup final - it happened at a time when most players are still feeling their way into the game.

“I’m hoping to possibly get a date for my operation in the last week of May and then after that I can get down to the hard work of rehab.

“I’ll be working very closely with Gordon McCartney (United’s sports therapist) and I’m fortunate that, when I had my last injury at Linfield, Gordy was there assisting the physio Terry Hayes, so I’m in good hands.

“I know what’s ahead of me - it’s a case of the muscle deteriorating because it’s not functioning to the limit it should so it’s a question of getting the muscle sorted and then strengthening the knee. There will be lots of gym work and probably a fair bit of swimming as well.

“The last time it was nine months exactly before I was back playing reserve team football so I’m hoping I can be back and be like a new signing in January.

“It’s a big disappointment for me because things have gone so well for since I joined and the team had done well since Christmas and I was looking forward to getting a good pre-season behind me ahead of my first full season at Ballymena.

“I’ve been through it before - the last time I came back I was strong and fitter than before and I’m ready to do the hard work again,” added Jim.