Liverpool star Lucas feared for career after recent injury

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has revealed that he feared for his career in football after suffering a serious knee injury last November.

The 25-year-old was forced to undergo surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament after an injury he picked up during the League Cup victory over Chelsea.

Lucas, who had to miss the remainder of the 2011-12 season, says he worried about his career when the length of his spell on the sidelines was confirmed.

During an interview with the club’s official website, he said: "It has been very hard for me because I have never been out for a month so you can imagine five months when I can't play and only watch the game.

"I just had to cope with the injury and the time. As soon as I got the injury I knew I would be out for many months and I started to think about other things.

"To be honest, for a few moments I thought I couldn't come back or even walk, because the way I looked at my knee I felt scared. But as soon as I started the rehab, it is unbelievable how your body reacts."

The international player, who has made over 100 appearances for Liverpool, has undergone an intensive programme to get back to full fitness, spending some of his time working at former club Gremio.

He now has a much more positive view and hopes to return in time for the start of the new 2012/13 campaign, which will be new manager Brendan Rogers first season in charge.

"I think I am progressing very well in terms of the knee, strength and fitness-wise," Lucas added.

"I am working every week and trying to improve every week and the main target is to be fit for the new season.

“I am confident I will be back at the same level because I know how hard I am working”