Thompson is back in business

The 27-year-old has been through Hell over the last two seasons as a result of serious knee and ankle injuries.

However, the former Liverpool and Coventry star can now see a light at the end of the tunnel after battling his way back into the Rovers first team.

And the positive-thinking Scouser is adamant he can regain the kind of form that took him into the England squad two years ago.

"I've got every confidence that I'm going to be a better player from all this," said Thompson, who was hoping to start Rovers' game against Fulham today.

"I've had two years out to study the game, watch football, see where I can improve my game and learn from other players' mistakes.

"And I really do feel as though I've matured in these last two years.

"It's helped me to grow up and I'm definitely a better person for it. Now, hopefully, I can prove I've become a better player."

Thompson's injury woes began in February 2003, when he underwent minor knee surgery.

However, during the clean-up operation, surgeons discovered the damage was worse than first feared and Thompson ended up missing the rest of that season.

He attempted a comeback at the beginning of the following campaign but his knee continued to swell up after matches and the decision was eventually taken to send him for a second operation last November, this time under the careful supervision of top American surgeon Dr Richard Steadman.

That bout of surgery in Colorado proved successful but it meant that Thompson spent the next six months rehabilitating.

Then when he finally made his Premiership comeback against Manchester United in August, he lasted just 16 minutes before a tackling from Klebersen left him nursing ligament damage and a broken bone in his ankle.

That resulted in a further two-month spell on the sidelines but now Thompson appears to have put his injury woes behind him and he's ready to make his mark in the Premiership again.