Ossama Ashley has been offered advice in his battle to bounce back from long-term injury after an operation on his knee.
Ashley, who signed a pro deal at AFC Wimbledon earlier this month despite suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, today posted on social media that the operation had been a success.
The midfielder will now be starting the process of getting back out on the pitch, as he aims to build on his promising displays at academy and development level. Will Nightingale, who put his own injury problems as a teenager behind him to become a first-team regular, has backed Ashley to come back strong from misfortune.
“Now it’s a matter of Ashley getting his head right, he has to stay as positive as he can,” said Will. “It’s a long time out and though it’s a blow for him, Ashley has to try and turn it into a positive in any way that he can. In any match he watches he has to be thinking ‘what can I learn from this to take into my own game when I’m fit?’. He has to make sure that when he comes back people take a look at him and think, ‘it doesn’t look like he’s been out for that long’.
“Six months out was the longest spell I was out injured for and mentally it’s tough. I ended up pushing people away who were my biggest support. Not on purpose, but just because you go through a few bad phases. You have to appreciate everything that comes your way and keep your head up. Ashley will get great medical attention at this club and he will be looked after well. He is a really good lad and has very good technique. Robbo has said before that he has a bit of everything and I think he can show that if he gets his head right after this injury. He carries himself around the place really well too. He is a good lad and I’m sure he will be all right.”
All at AFC Wimbledon wish Ashley all the best on the road to recovery.