Pic: Media Image
By Matthew Jones
BEN TOLLITT admitted he cried himself to sleep after finding out he had been ruled out for the rest of the season.
The 22-year old Tranmere winger injured his knee ligaments during their 2-1 win over Boreham Wood two weeks ago and underwent surgery last week.
The Rovers attacker could be back running before the end of the campaign but will take no further part in his club's bid to win promotion back to the Football League.
“I cried a lot,” the former Portsmouth wide man revealed. “I cried and then I slept for about three hours on the Wednesday, cried a bit more and slept for about five hours on Thursday.
“It felt like all I had done had been for nothing. It probably still does feel like that now. You've just got to use that as fuel and anger in the gym sessions that I'll be doing to come back a better athlete.
“But of course they can still get promoted without me! We've got quality in the team. There's no worries there.”
Tollitt pulled up following an innocuous looking challenge – and even took a corner before he eventually hobbling off.
And his absence piled on the misery for Rovers boss Micky Mellon, who has also lost Jack Dunn, James Wallace and Jake Kirby to injury over the last couple of weeks.
Impact
Tollitt was ruled out for as long as six months, but the 22-year-old is hopeful of being back sooner.
“They're saying I'll be out until the end of August, which is 24 weeks after my operation,” he added. “Hopefully, if I eat well and train well, I can shave a few weeks off that. I'll be running by the end of May and be available for selection for the beginning of next season.”
Despite making just just 18 appearances since arriving at Prenton Park – originally on loan from Portsmouth back in September – Tollitt has proved a massive hit with Rovers' fans, prompting him to pen a permanent deal until the end of the 2018-19 season.
Now he is desperate to repay the faith shown in him, with one supporter even handing over a “Get Well Soon” card during the thumping FA Trophy win over Barrow last weekend.
“It's been overwhelming,” he added. “Some of the things people have been saying has made me fill up a bit more.
“I can't say anything but thank you for all the messages of support and thanks for what you've done for me this season.”
