Bermuda utility player Lejaun Simmons is nearing his return after almost a year out after a ruptured Achilles tendon that threatened to end his career.

Simmons picked up the injury in Bermuda’s 5-1 loss to Guinea in the final game of the inaugural Fifa Series in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last March.

Having been given the green light by Craig Brown, the national team physiotherapist, and personal trainer Dennis Robinson, he is back at training with his club, Devonshire Cougars.

The 31-year-old is targeting a place in Kwame Steede’s side for their league match against Paget next Tuesday night. If all goes well, Simmons hopes to push his way back into the Bermuda team for the Gold Cup preliminary round fixtures against Honduras in March.

“I’m back at training with Cougars after being cleared by Craig and Dennis,” Simmons told The Royal Gazette. “I’m looking to get back into the team for the next game against Paget.

“Everything has gone well in terms of recovery, and the bigger picture is getting back into the national team for the Gold Cup play-offs. We are supposed to have a local two-week training camp in February to get ready for the games in March.

“I don’t want to stand in anybody’s way, so let’s see how far I go with this Gold Cup run. We also have the World Cup qualifiers in June, and then I’ll make a decision about my future in the national team after those matches.”

Coach Michael Findlay has welcomed the player’s recovery, which he believes serves as motivation for younger players.

“Injury is part of the game, but it is still tragic when one of your players suffers a serious injury such as the one Lejaun sustained in Saudi Arabia,” the Canadian said.

“Especially when he had been playing an important role for us. There is no doubt we missed his contributions on and off the field, and will welcome him back once he is 100 per cent fit and clear to play.

“It also provides a great message to our younger players about why mental strength is a key component to playing at the highest level. From Day 1 of his recovery, Lejaun was committed to the process. He was in constant contact to update the staff and share the journey back.

“We are truly pleased for not just us as a team, but for him as an individual as he enters the final stage of recovery with returning to the national team as an end objective.”

A versatile player adept in defence and attack, Simmons at one stage thought his career was over.

“It was a rough time for me because I was in peak form for the country,” he said.

“Getting injured in a game that we went on to lose affected me mentally. I was ready to quit. Some even said I’m too old now and there’s no way I was coming back from this injury.

“That served as motivation for me. I did my research and found a personal trainer who works with athletes on mobility. He helped me bounce back, with Craig overseeing the whole process.

“With some consistency and sacrifices, I was able to be ahead of schedule. The hard cast came off on May 14 and I stopped using the boot on June 1. It’s been a good trajectory to get back to fitness.

“I didn’t have an operation. The doctor advised me to let it heal naturally in a boot. It was more towards the top half of my leg. My calf and my Achilles tore at the same time.”

Simmons is eager to assist Cougars climb up the standings. The four-times league champions are seventh with 11 points, secured from three wins and two draws.

“Things are not going our way because there’s a lot of transition in the team,” he added.

“Some players got new jobs and there’s no consistency in terms of availability. We’re probably one of the top teams on the island that has been struggling for a keeper for years, and I think that plays a big part as well.

“When you have your leading goalscorer from last season [Domico Coddington] stepping up to play in goal, it just shows we have a challenge in that department. Our goalkeeper, Q’Shai Darrell, got injured during the Friendship Trophy match against Dandy Town and has been out since.

“We had Jaquan Darrell playing for us the last couple of games, but he is going back to school overseas.

“I wouldn’t say Cougars are playing bad football. Luck has just not been on our side this season, but we’re not panicking at all.

“The league is still really tight. Nobody has really gone ahead. I think it’s been more of a competitive season, so I’m looking to see how far we can go up the table in the remaining matches.”