A MARK OF CHARACTER

He has been forced to watch on from the sidelines over the last few months through injury but now Hugo Lloris is back, fighting fit and eager to kick on with the rest of the season, especially as we move into what he describes as the most important period of the campaign.

- Liam Carson

A resilient mind forms the foundations of triumph. It is not something that is innate to us; it is something that is learned, it is something that develops, that is matured with time and through experience. It builds a mental robustness, it strengthens our control and our focus, cultivates adaptability and entices chances of progression.

While this season has posed its challenges for the team as a collective, it has also thrown up considerable tests for individuals. None more so than for our captain Hugo Lloris, who has had to summon all of his mental strength to overcome a significant personal setback.

Back in early October, the goalkeeper suffered a serious injury as he fell awkwardly and dislocated his elbow in the opening moments of our 3-0 defeat to Brighton. That fall led to almost four months on the sidelines for the Frenchman and saw him miss 21 games – his longest spell out of the team since he arrived at the Club back in the summer of 2012.

The 33-year-old, however, recovered well, returned to the team at the end of January and hasn’t looked back since. While some players would be affected by such a frustrating spell on the sidelines, Hugo appears to have come out of that period even stronger than before.

Fifteen years in the game procures an understanding of what it takes to bounce back from difficulties. A mentality which brews a composure and patience necessary for recovery and a well-measured judgement of your own footing. Thus, with the added support of his family, Club staff and his goalkeeping union, the Frenchman could keep positive, focussed and motivated throughout his rehabilitation.