CHRIS WISE Shaun Carey has had more than his fair share of setbacks over the course of his career - so there is no way he will be throwing in the towel after yet another shattering injury blow.

CHRIS WISE

Shaun Carey has had more than his fair share of setbacks over the course of his career - so there is no way he will be throwing in the towel after yet another shattering injury blow.

The Kings Lynn midfielder's life was thrown into turmoil earlier this month when he suffered a double fracture of the right leg during a British Gas Southern Premier League encounter against Corby.

There is never a good time to pick up such a serious injury, but the fact that it came at a time when his wife Carolyn was expecting their first child merely adding salt to the extremely painful wounds.

Three weeks after the controversial challenge from Robbie Maddox that turned his life upside down, the Careys are still on tenterhooks waiting for their baby to arrive, and there's no way Shaun will be able to drive his wife to hospital when the little one decides to make an appearance.

There's still a good deal of uncertainty surrounding his playing future as well, while the injury has also stopped him making a living as a football coach in his native Northamptonshire. But, with a benefit match coming up against the Canaries next Wednesday, there is now some light at the end of a very dark tunnel, and with the help of the Canaries Carey is determined to bounce back from the third serious injury of his career.

“There are times when I think 'Why me?' but I won't get anywhere by feeling sorry for myself,” said the 30-year-old midfielder, who played 77 games for City between 1996 and 2000.

“I've come back from bad injuries before and I am determined to do it again. It's not easy for us at the moment because I can't play, I can't work - and we are expecting our first child - but I've just got to get on with it.

“Having said that, you obviously worry about your livelihood at times like these so I have got to say a big thank-you to Nigel Worthington and Norwich for agreeing to bring a side up to the Walks next week.

“King's Lynn have backed me all the way since this happened and it's good that my first club have helped out too. It should be a fantastic evening and I have got a few surprise guests lined up which should add an extra touch of spice to proceedings.”

Carey is determined to think positive on what the future holds after the big game, even though there are obviously no guarantees when your leg is broken in two places.

“As I said, the support I have received from King's Lynn since this happened has been brilliant,” he said. “They have really looked after me and told me just to concentrate on making a full recovery. I have had the operation now and everything went to plan.

“Now it's just a case of waiting for the injury to heal and then getting on with some rehab.

“I am not taking anything for granted but hopefully I'll be back playing again before the end of the season. Alan Smith suffered a similar injury at Manchester United and was back in seven months so hopefully I can match that.”

Carey is well used to battling back from injury after rupturing his Achilles during his time at Carrow Road and damaging cruciate knee ligaments while playing non-league football for Hornchurch.

“It's happened to me before so I know what it is like to be out for long periods,” he said. “I was just establishing myself at Carrow Road when I did my Achilles while sprinting for the ball, while I got done by a bad tackle at Hornchurch. The lad actually caught me on the shin and the impact damaged my knee.

“They were two serious blows but I came back from both of them - and I'm determined to come back from this one as well.”

With the threat of legal proceedings hanging in the air Carey can't say too much about the challenge that led to his latest setback - but one thing's for sure, he doesn't intend to let it beat him.

“In the position I play in you always run the risk of getting hurt,” he said. “All I'll say is that when I go in for a tackle all I see is the ball, nothing else.

“What's happened is very disappointing but I'm determined to look forward now, not back. We've got a good squad of players here and I think the future is bright for King's Lynn. I just want to be part of that.”

Next Wednesday's match at the Walks kicks off at 7.45pm and ticket prices are £5 for adults, £2.50 for concessions and £1 for youngsters £1.