SWINDON Town defender Dion Conroy says he must be patient as he continues to battle his way back to full fitness.

The former Chelsea man was ruled out for the season after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in the club’s 3-2 win over Stevenage at the County Ground on Saturday, September 16.

Two operations and 153 days later, the 22-year-old is hoping that he will soon be up and running as he looks to step up his recovery.

During his time on the sidelines the central defender revealed as well as an operation on his right knee, he has also had an operation on his shoulder.

“It has been quite a long time. I had an operation on my shoulder in December as well, but everything is going well, everything is on track and I’m working hard every single day,” he told swindontownfc.co.uk.

“I know that I’ve got to be patient, keep working hard and I’ll eventually get back playing.

“I started running last week but you have to be cautious after surgery, so if you get a niggle you might need a couple of days off where you relax.

“It is hard putting a programme together because I’m trying to get my knee right but I’ve also got to do stuff around my shoulder.

“Hopefully I’ll start running properly now and it is a case of building it up from there.

“I’ve just got to see how my knee feels after I start running and, hopefully once I start to feel comfortable and knowing I can do all different types of movements, then I can start setting goals in terms of when I want to be back properly, when I can play my first game and things like that.

“It is difficult to set goals because it is hard to judge how your knee is day by day, most of the time it is good but sometimes you get a day where it is uncomfortable.”

With a brace preventing him from being able to drive, followed by a restrictive shoulder, Conroy says it has been a difficult period mentally.

The Swindon defender admits the process has been a frustrating and uncomfortable one to go through, but says he is using the time productively and aims to come back better than ever. “I was in a brace for six weeks so I couldn’t bend it past ten degrees, I couldn’t drive, I had to sleep with it on so that was very tough,” added Conroy.

“As soon as I came out of my brace I had to have surgery on my shoulder just weeks later, so it was tough but I’m mentally strong and it is part of the game.

“I’ve been watching my games from last season and this season and it motivates me to come back even stronger and better.

“I’m using it as a reset button to make myself better.”