At the age of just 22, Daniel Chillingworth is already one of Cambridge United's longest-serving players, but this season has been a roller coaster of emotions and experiences for him.
Grasping the chance to become Dave Kitson's regular partner up front, 'Chilli' started the season on fire and scored three goals in the first two league games, but he has been sidelined since mid-September - with the exception of one appearance in October - by different injuries.
A pulled hamstring ("I've never had any muscle injury before in my life so that was a shame") was followed by a strained ankle, but the most troublesome injury has been his current knee problem, which has mystified the experts.
"I went up to Lilleshall for a week, I've seen various specialists and had a scan, but as yet they can't find out what the problem is," he explains. "But Ant (physio Ant Coole) is speaking to someone this week and hopefully I'll be able to see someone next week to try to get to the bottom of it."
Having made such a fine start to the season and hit the headlines in spectacular fashion, it becomes apparent that Daniel sensibly kept his feet on the ground and refused to get carried away, but he cannot have imagined that his caution would be proved right so soon.
"I had a good break during the summer, although at the same time I was working hard on my fitness, and when I came back I felt sharp and was enjoying playing football again," he recalls.
"I started off quite well and scored a few goals, but I know a few people were getting a bit carried away and I was saying that football can kick you in the teeth so not to get too carried away, and that's exactly what happened really. So it's disappointing that it's taking so long to get fit again and get back to playing," he admits.
He and Dave Kitson appeared to have forged a promising understanding in those early games but Chilli is pleased for his former team-mate that he has achieved a move to Division One.
"We started off quite well and got five goals between us in the first three games, so that was a good start and I would have liked the chance to play a few more games with him this season, but obviously he's gone on to bigger and better things and good luck to him," he says.
As ever at Cambridge United, a transfer often creates an opportunity for one of the younger players to step up and make their mark and Daniel admits that it is doubly frustrating that he cannot try to take on Kitson's mantle at the moment.
"Now he's gone it leaves a big hole there and it would be a good chance for me to develop as the main striker," he agrees, "but obviously I can't do that if I'm not fit, so my main target at the moment has to be to get back playing again and hopefully I'll be able to step into his shoes."
The current knee injury was suffered in training as Chilli was on the way back from an ankle problem, as he explains: "I was in training again, doing a shooting drill, and I just kicked the ground in front of the ball and felt something go in my knee. Since then they've not been able to find out what it is.
"I keep rehabilitating and doing strengthening work and when I come back I can do all the running and a few little passing drills, but when I strike a ball I get this excruciating pain in my knee that won't go away. I keep trying to play through it, but every time I strike a ball it comes back so it's very frustrating.
"I can't fault Ant because he's trying everything he knows and it's mystifying him as well. We all want to get to the bottom of it and I just want to get back to playing again, but the gaffer and Brooksie and Ant have been good and they've told me to take as long as it takes and just get myself back fit.
"It's very difficult to be in and around a football club when you're not involved because you see all the lads, day in day out, enjoying themselves out on the training pitch and you just want to be a part of it," he adds. "Hopefully my luck will change soon, because I don't seem to be having much at the moment."
Daniel has had the chance to watch far more U's games than he would have wished this season, but it gave me the chance to ask for his views on the season so far, and he is optimistic that now the injury problems elsewhere in the squad are easing, we could be poised for an upturn in fortune.
"Looking at the lads, I don't think we're far off," he states. "We've definitely got a talented set of lads in that dressing room, the team spirit is probably as good as I've seen it, and I think we're just a whisper away from cracking it.
"We just need to get a good run of results and obviously we need to get a few of our key players back and playing again. We've been without the likes of Venus - Kitson was injured as well - and Tudes has been out, and when you get players like that back I think we'll do all right.
"I've been impressed with the loan players as well, so hopefully it all bodes well for the future," Daniel adds.
Asked for his 'player of the season' so far, he replies without hesitation: "Definitely Luke (Guttridge). I think he's come of age this season and he's looked like a man in the midfield, even though he's still only a youngster.
"He's bossed it and he looks strong, confident on the ball, and I'm sure that's why there's been a bit of interest in him."
One player who has played more games than he might have expected because of Daniel's injury is John Turner, and Chilli is generous in his praise for the 17-year-old.
"I've definitely been impressed by him. People have got to remember that he's still only 17 and a lot has been asked of him, but he's taken it all in his stride," he stresses. "He's a sensible lad and he's got a good head on his shoulders, and I'm sure he'll go from strength to strength."
Asked for an estimate of when he hopes to return, he gives a rueful laugh. "To be honest I wouldn't like to say, because for the last three months I've been saying 'they've told me next week' and at the moment I just don't know.
"That's the most frustrating thing. At least when they say you're going to be out for six months you can get your head round the fact and you know you've got to knuckle down and work hard, but with me at the moment it's just a week-to-week thing. It does get you down, but I know you've just got to be strong and believe it will all be worth it in the end."
I'm sure all readers will join me in wishing Daniel a speedy return to fitness and the first team.
"The Quick Fire Round"
If you were on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' and had to phone a friend, which team-mate would you choose?
The Gaffer's been playing at the moment so I'd probably say him, but not the Gaffer I'd probably say someone like Warren Goodhind.
Favourite holiday destination, and describe why in one word.
Italy. Relaxing.
If you weren't a footballer, what would your job be now?
Probably following in my father's footsteps and be a plasterer or something like that.
Who do you go to for financial advice?
My Mum and Dad.
What will you be doing in ten years' time?
Probably still be on the injury table! Nah, hopefully I'll still be playing football at the highest possible level.
Who is your best mate in the squad?
You probably know the answer already, but obviously Franco, Tanny, Bridgo and Aggy because I've grown up with them through the youth team. Anyway, they'd be offended if I didn't say them!
Who has the best dress sense in the squad?
Andy Duncan.
And who has the worst?
I would say Dave Kitson but he's left so I'll say Brenners.
In a film of your life story who would you want to play you and why?
Adam Sandler. He's a funny man and I like his films.
Porsche or Ferrari?
Ferrari.
Indian or Chinese?
Chinese.
Beer or lager?
Beer.
Boxers or briefs?
Neither!
If you were given tickets for a gig, who would you want to see and why?
Probably Michael Jackson, because he's a bit of a living legend.
Three words your team-mates might use to describe you?
Hairy, and injury-prone!
*A shorter version of this interview appeared in the programme for the match against Huddersfield on 10th January, 2004.
You can hear the full interview with Chilli on our U's World multimedia website. Click here for details about U's World.
Previous Featured Players this season:
19Jan04: Shaun Marshall
04Jan04: Adam Tann
29Dec03: Gareth Williams
23Dec03: Franco Nacca
18Dec03: Shane Tudor
11Dec03: Andy Duncan
04Dec03: Stevland Angus
28Nov03: John Turner
21Nov03: Luke Guttridge
29Oct03: Stuart Bimson
21Sep03: Warren Goodhind
21Aug03: Dave Kitson
13Aug03: Justin Walker
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