Darren Way
Strange as it may seem for a man walking with the aid of crutches, but Darren Way has a new spring in his step!
Having undergone an operation a fortnight ago on his long-standing shin problem, the popular midfielder firmly believes the good times are just around the corner again.
Way went under the surgeon's scalpel for a third time at London's Lister Hospital where he had a rod inserted into the shaft of his tibia in a bid to finally cure an injury problem that stretched way back to November 2004.
That was when the midfielder sustained a stress fracture of the tibia playing for Yeovil during a successful spell that took in over 200 appearances. And although he returned to the Glovers' first team, he has had constant problems with his shin since his £150,000 transfer to the Liberty Stadium in January 2006.
He struggled with injury in his first season and underwent a shin operation during the summer after just two League starts and three off the bench.
Having returned to the side at the end of August to make another four League appearances, plus five off the bench, Way's shin injury flared up again and he has not played a game since the middle of October.
But as he proudly displays the massive scar running the length of his lower leg, the former Yeovil star is determined to make up for lost time and show the Swansea faithful exactly what they've been missing.
"There have been times when I have never felt so low,'' admits Way. "It didn't help when people were saying the leg could be cancerous or arthritic - absolutely ridiculous things like that.
"But mentally I've been through a lot and it has been very stressful at times. I didn't know whether I was coming or going at times, but I firmly believe I will come out the other side a stronger person and better player.''
It's sometimes been difficult to get Way to talk about his injury. After two failed comebacks, just the mention of the shin problem depressed him.
"Just seeing my name in Richie's (Evans) treatment table notes in the programme got me down,'' he adds. "Sometimes things are sent to try you, but in the end I had to ask him not to mention me.
"This is the third interview I've done since I've been at the club talking about my comeback. I hope this one will be the last.''
Way admits he feels different this time around, however.
"I'm in good spirits because this time the leg feels right. In the past I've been saying it's fine when it hasn't felt 100 per cent.
"Although it's still early days, it's feeling 10 times better and the consultant is confident I'll make a full recovery. He really is a top consultant, better than the one Owain (Tudur-Jones) had in Germany for his knee, but he won't have it. He gets jealous and sulks when he thinks I've found someone better!''
Way's comeback time has already been set at four to six months, but the 27-year-old is already targeting pre-season. While he won't be rushing back before he's ready, Way can't wait to pull a Swansea shirt on again.
"It's been a disappointing time for everyone,'' he adds. "Disappointing for me; disappointing for Yeovil because they don't want to be seen to give another club an injured player; and disappointing for Swansea and the fans because they haven't seen me in action much.
"When I left Yeovil I wanted a challenge, but I never envisaged having as many challenges as I've had - and certainly not as hard.
"But I will overcome the challenge and repay everyone who has been so supportive and stuck by me. Not only does that include the likes of physio Richie Evans, who has worked very hard with me, and liaison officer Huw Lake, who has been there whenever I've needed him, but also the fans and the club itself.
"The fans have been great to me. They could have been negative and jumped on the bandwagon with comments such as 'what a waste of money', but instead they've always been positive and wished me well. It has kept my faith up and I must thank them for that.
"Now the best way for me to repay everyone is to start playing well for Swansea. When I signed for the club I came with a price tag around my neck and I want to prove to the club and the fans that I am worth every penny of the £150,000 they paid for me. So far I haven't been able to do that.
"I want to enhance my reputation at Swansea because I don't want to be known as 'a player who came to Swansea and had a nightmare with injuries.'
"I want people to say that I 'added a lot to the team and what a great midfielder I was'.
"I know I can do it. I know I can play a big part in Swansea's success and I'll be raring to go next season - I can guarantee you that.''
When that happens, Way hopes he'll be making his comeback with a Swansea side playing its football in the Championship.
Having watched the arrival of new boss Roberto Martinez reignite Swansea's play-off push with three wins and a draw from his opening four games, Way is adamant that the resurgence will continue over the remaining eight fixtures and the Swans will be in the mix when it matters most.
"We've got a great chance of making the play-offs. The arrival of the Gaffer (Roberto Martinez) has freshened things up and given everyone a new lift.
"That's not being disrespectful to Kenny Jackett because he is a great manager and what he achieved at Swansea was unbelievable.
"But sometimes you need to freshen things up and the Gaffer has come in with new ideas and plenty of motivation and the players have responded to it.
"We've done a lot of team bonding and if it gets you an extra one or two per cent on the pitch then it will certainly help us achieve our goal come the end of the season.
"Everyone is positive and I'm confident we will do it. Nobody can doubt our ability, but perhaps we haven't always produced it as a team. That certainly seems to have changed over the last few games and it's looking good again.''
Stato
Darren 'Stato' Way intends to play his own small part in SwanseaCity's future success after being handed a statisticians role by manager Roberto Martinez.
Rather than just polishing his crutches for the next few weeks, Martinez has sent Way on a 'stat attack'.
"The Gaffer has got me doing stats on individual Swans players throughout games,'' explained Way. "The first time I did it was at Rotherham, then at home to Leyton Orient the other week.
"He gives me a certain player to watch and I have to record the number of shots, tackles, crosses etc he does during the game to show his effectiveness - or lack of it!
"I'm not going to tell you the players I've compiled stats on because it's a secret. But all the players had better beware now because I could be watching them,'' he joked.
"Seriously though, I'm really enjoying it and the Gaffer is trying to get me to do as many games as I can. He even sent me to watch Chelsea play Porto the other day and had me doing stats. I haven't had a call from Jose Mourinho yet though!
"What it's done though is make me and the other injured players feel part of it again. It's difficulty when you are out with a lengthy injury because you sometimes feel left out at times.
"He's also encouraged me to start getting my coaching badges again. I used to enjoy coaching the kids at Yeovil and managed to get my 'C' licence.
"I haven't been able to do much at Swansea because I've always had to rest the injury. But I'm going to start on my 'B' licence as soon as I can because coaching is something I'd like to do in the future.
"The Gaffer has been really supportive and it's certainly helped to keep my mind active. But he's good at that.''
Way has also become the star man in the hospitality suites at the Liberty Stadium this season as he helps Alan Curtis keep the guests entertained in the Morfa 'Legends' Lounge.
It's a role he is revelling in. The once-shy midfielder that arrived from Yeovil slightly in awe of his surroundings has been transformed. Now the guests get plenty of jokes and even the odd song.
"At the moment me and Owain (Tudur-Jones) are battling it out for Joe Kelly's job organising hospitality for the club's commercial department,'' he quipped. "Don't tell Joe though, although he must be close to retirement soon!''
