THEY say you don’t realise how much you miss something until it’s gone.

For Swindon Town goalkeeper Joe Fryer, the above was especially true after the 25-year-old made his first league appearance since August 25, 2018 on Saturday in a 3-3 draw away at Shrewsbury Town.

A disastrous collision with Crewe Alexandra man, Paul Green while playing for Carlisle United over two years ago resulted in Fryer breaking his left tibia and fibula, and it has been a long and difficult road back to playing for the likeable young netminder since then.

Over two years without playing in a competitive football match was tough to deal with at times, said the new Town number one, but Fryer is determined to enjoy every moment of his career now that he is healthy and has returned to blocking footballs.

Now enjoying life under the boss in which he was playing for when the potentially career-ending injury took place, Fryer is looking forward to improving every day as he endeavours to rediscover his best form.

Fryer said: “It was tough at first getting back into it.

“It was tough getting back into the zone of doing it day in, day out and the pressures that come with professional football, but that was the thing I missed while I was out, so I can’t really complain about it.

“I’ve just been trying to take each day as it comes, work as hard as I possibly can and then see the improvements I make week by week and just keep trying to build on it.

“An injury like that does make you appreciate football all the more.”

Fryer was signed in early September on a short-term deal and has had to work even harder than most to prove his worth in order to secure a future at the club.

But with contract negotiations firmly planted in the back of his mind for the time being, the Chester-Le-Street-born shot stopper is adamant he simply wants to continue his run in the team and whatever will be, will be.

Fryer said: “I’ve been here a couple of months now, but I’m settling in nicely and I felt I’ve fitted in from the off.

“Hopefully, I can get a good run of games going now – I’ve played two in the last week, so long may it continue.

“I know my deal is up in January, but I’m not thinking about that too much. I’m just taking each day as it comes and each game as it comes.

“That will take care of itself, I’ve just got to concentrate on performing well and we’ll worry about the contract at a later date.”