Craig Curran targets a comeback this season after "horrible" struggle with illness and injury
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CRAIG Curran has thanked everyone at Ross County for the help during his ongoing battles against illness and injury.
Curran has battled a number of ailments this season, including shingles and glandular fever, as well as a continual struggle with Crohn’s disease. Throw in his concussion troubles and it has been a torrid campaign for the crowd favourite.
He picked up his first concussion in August against Kilmarnock and another in the Highland derby with Caley Thistle on January 2. Complications with his immune system left him vulnerable to illness and he has subsequently picked up further debilitating conditions.
The 26-year-old admits he has had a “horrible” time of it this campaign but refuses to bow to his condition.
“There are days when it gets you down but I’ve just got to be positive and stay strong mentally. I know I will come through it and it is a case of when rather than if I come back,” he said.
“The club has been fantastic with me and I can’t thank the gaffer, Doddsy and the chairman enough. They’ve been brilliant with me. The one positive is that my absence has let me fix all the little niggles that have bothered me for years. Physically, when I come back, it will be the best I’ve been since I was 18.
“I’m not allowed to do any physical exercise whatsoever so I’ve focused on watching my diet and eating properly. I’ve had a mix of things. I’ve had glandular fever, my head knock and I’ve got Crohn’s disease too so my body has probably been at an all-time low following the head knock.
“It’s been so frustrating as, for years and years, I’ve struggled to get to the bottom of what’s been going on with my past niggles and when I do come back I believe I will be better than ever.”
Aware that Curran’s recovery would take longer than expected, manager Jim McIntyre made the move for David Goodwillie on deadline day to bring him in on loan for the rest of the season. Curran’s attitude has never wavered, according to McIntyre, who has nothing but praise for him.
“His attitude to life in general is fantastic. He just gets on with things. A lot of people having to deal with what he’s had to would really struggle,” he said. “He’s such a strong character mentally and he’s really been tested this season with the amount of viruses he’s picked up.
“He has also picked up shingles and glandular fever, so he has been through the mill, as well as obviously suffering really bad concussion as well. Hopefully, in coming weeks he starts to get a wee bit of a break and if we could see him back before the end of the season, that would be fantastic.”
The defensive pack will have to be shuffled tomorrow as County prepare to host Dundee United, with up to four defenders potentially out. Marcus Fraser (shoulder) will miss out while both Richard Foster and Jamie Reckord are suspended. Scott Boyd is rated 50-50 with a calf injury.
United are in dire straits and in desperate need of wins, a fact not lost on McIntyre as he prepares for one of his old sides coming to Dingwall.
“Without a shadow of doubt, they’ll come at us. They will be throwing everything at it.”
