Doncaster Rovers: 'I'm stronger for the injury' - Cameron John looks to positives after spell on sidelines

But Cameron John believes his spell on the sidelines has made him stronger as a player, both mentally and physically.

The on-loan Wolverhampton Wanderers defender spent ten weeks on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury during his loan with Doncaster Rovers.

While it put the brakes on a very strong run in the side for a player who had not made a senior appearance prior to this campaign, he insists he is better positioned now having gone through the experience and the frustration it brings.

“When I think about it, and I still do now, it was quite annoying,” John said.

“But I think it’s made me stronger as a person and a player. You’re always going to get setbacks.

“I was at one of my highest points in my career and how I was doing.

“For me to hit not quite rock bottom but a real low point and then having to go again, it really helped my mental state.

“It has helped me prepare for my whole career to come.

“It was good and I feel like I’m in a better position now than I was ten weeks ago.

“It’s allowed me to get stronger and get back fit.”

The 20-year-old says the time out has also been useful in allowing him to take a watching brief on Rovers, meaning he is well-versed on the areas where improvement is needed.

He said: “I’ve been able to come back and see the boys while I’ve been injured and be around it.

“I’ve seen the team and seen what we can improve on and what I can bring to the team when I came back.

“For me it was just getting back fit and coming back to help the team.

“I wanted to get back fit and help the team as much as possible.”

John has now started two of three matches since his return to Rovers and is pleased with the show of faith from boss Darren Moore.

But he is not resting on his laurels with plenty of competition at centre half.

He said: “It shows how much the gaffer has put a lot of trust in me in my short time here.

“In the games before I got injured I showed that I can handle myself.

“I think it’s a credit to myself and how I did before I got injured and something for me to build on.

“I’ve got to take every game as it comes. No position is guaranteed so I’ve got to be putting in the performances to keep my place in the team.

“We’ve got four very good defenders and any one of us can start.

“It’s good competition and we just need to keep it going.”