D'Andre Wainwright is refusing to give up on his dream of playing overseas as he aims to finally resolve a long-standing knee injury.

The 22-year-old, who had stints in English non-League football with Durham City, Billingham Synthonia and Redcar Athletic in the past two years, has been turning out for Somerset Trojans this season after returning to the club in the summer.

The striker’s decision to leave England was not as a result of a lack of form or opportunity, but more a personal desire to finally overcome a niggling knee injury he suffered in 2017.

“I’m actually due to see a knee specialist,” Wainwright said. “In 2017, while I was playing over at BAA [Goose Gosling Field], I tried to change direction and my knee popped out of position but then popped back.

“I ignored the issue and eventually went over to England and was just playing through it. I finally realised I need to finally get it sorted, so the plan is to take this year to get it right and then head back over to England.

“I know if I have to get surgery that I could be out for some time so I’d rather do my recovery here at home and then go back stronger next season. Hopefully it isn’t too much of a recovery time and then I can go again from there.

“The plan is definitely to be playing in England again next season. I’m still hungry to play over there so that is the aim.”

Despite ongoing issues relating to his knee injury, Wainwright is determined to keep helping Trojans and he has already made a major impact by guiding his side into the Dudley Eve Trophy final after scoring the only goal of the game in a 1-0 semi-final victory over Hamilton Parish.

“Because I didn’t get my knee properly sorted out, it’s started to affect my ankle and more recently my hamstrings and hip too. The physio thinks I’m over compensating,” added Wainwright, who was also on target as Trojans sealed their first victory in the Premier Division when beating Parish for the second time in three days with a 2-1 win on Saturday.

“But while I’m fit enough to do so, I will keep trying to make an impact for Trojans. My knee is still sore but I’m just trying to play through and help out as much as I can.

“I feel like if I can stay fit and keep managing to start games, I can make a big impact like going up to the National Stadium and helping the team to win the Dudley Eve Trophy.”