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Ben Te’o briefly considered quitting rugby during a year blighted by injury.
A serious ankle issue saw Te’o miss the second half of 2017, before a thigh problem forced him out of England’s tour to South Africa in June.
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The setbacks left the 31-year-old Worcester Warriors centre contemplating his future in the sport as he struggled on the road to recovery.
“You have a couple of injuries back to back and you start to wonder ‘is this worth it?'” Te’o told BBC Radio 5 Live.
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“A lot of players would feel the same. I’ve come back from some tough injuries, and once you’re back it’s brilliant, but the time off is tough.
“When I was getting ready for surgery for my quad, I was laying in the bed with the gown on, about to go under [the knife] again, and I was thinking ‘I can’t believe I am going under again for another op’ – more crutches and all that.
“But sometimes that’s the way it goes with injuries. You can have a couple of good years, and then sometimes it can go back to back to back and you just can’t get away from it.
“I’m praying and hoping I can get fit and play, and [an injury] doesn’t come back. [It’s been] frustrating.”
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Former rugby league star Te’o remains sidelined but says he will not rush his comeback for fear of quickly picking up another injury.
“That’s sometimes part and parcel with this game. In both codes I’ve played there are lots of times where you get pressured into coming back early,” he said.
“Sometimes you can play yourself into match fitness, but if you get hurt again you regret doing it. But fingers crossed that doesn’t happen. [The aim is to] get back fit, stay back and contribute.”
