Newcastle midfielder Damien Duff has admitted he broke down after being told he was the first footballer to suffer the injury which might have ended his career.
The 28-year-old former Blackburn winger is back in training after recovering from a dislocation in his foot suffered at Portsmouth in April.
However, the Republic of Ireland international has revealed his shock when his surgeon told him what had happened.
Duff, who will not face Rovers today, said: "It was devastating.
"You should have seen me when I first found out in the surgeon's office, I broke down in tears.
"It was a dislocation in the middle of my foot, and the surgeon said he had never seen it on a footballer before, and that was a shock.
"It was an horrendous injury. I was the only footballer to ever get it.
"It's a case of taking things one day at a time because I have had my foot up all summer.
"We will be looking at a couple of reserve games first, but hopefully it will not be too long before I am back."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article