WHEN Lee Knight was helped off the field at Yate Town in early March, the no-nonsense defender's durability would surely mean a swift return, writes Mervyn Collins.

Almost four months on and Evesham United's club captain is set to pull on a red and white shirt again at Alvechurch next Tuesday night.

However, just days after the injury, Knight was told that his absence could be indefinite after suffering a fit two days after a bang on the nose at Lodge Road.

"I got the knock in the first half but played on," Knight recalled. "I wasn't feeling too good and I decided that I should come off late in the game. I felt a bit groggy the next day and then suffered a fit on the Monday night. It was really worrying so I made an appointment to see the doctor straight away.

"I had had loads of knocks to the head before but nothing like this. I was told it could have been a build-up of all the old bangs but to be told that I wouldn't be able to play again indefinitely was a massive shock."

A visit to a neurologist and a specialist showed the seriousness of the situation and the 27-year-old's concern about his future in the game and even how it was going to affect his own life.

Knight has only just returned to his job working in sales with Mercedes and admits that the whole thing has really shook him up.

"It didn't really sink in at first that I wasn't going to be able to play for a long time, if at all, " the club captain admitted.

"I went back to work last month after being given the all-clear by the doctor and now it's time to get back to football as well."

Knight's determination to continue a successful career in the non-league ranks is testimony to the man who was Dave Busst's first signing when he arrived at Common Road in November 2003.

The centre back's influence has been one of the chief reasons behind United's upturn in fortunes since Busst's arrival and last season's defensive record was testimony to Knight's efforts.

However, he knows his former boss at Solihull only too well and realises that a return to full fitness won't necessarily mean a swift return.

"I wouldn't have decided to play again if I didn't feel that I could compete like I always have done," the rugged defender admitted.

"I've got a lot to catch up on tin terms of fitness and I know that Dave won't give me any leeway and if I am going to get my place back then it's going to have to be on merit.

"Last season was a nightmare coming along to matches. I hate watching but the final game of the season was worth everything that I went through."

Knight was most impressed with the way his defensive teammates performed during the last couple of months last term but he knows it will be difficult again this season.

"I have played in the Conference and Premier Division with Hednesford but I think the Premier Division now is moreorless like the old Western Division was when I first came to the club," Knight observed.

"There will seven or eight sides at the top of the table but I am convinced that we will be able to hold our own against the rest purely because they are the sides that we played before the restructure."

One of Knight's defensive partner, Mark Burrow, has pledged his immediate future to Malvern Town.

The versatile former Worcester City man has decided to put the Midland Alliance club first but he is expected to sign Southern League forms with the Robins.

Just 24 hours after the warm-up opener at Alvechurch (7.30), who are managed by Busst's brother Paul, Evesham's players get the chance to play in front of their own fans when Tamworth, subject to confirmation, visit Common Road next Wednesday.