October 17 2018

Scott Dann

Crystal Palace defender Scott Dann says his family has helped him get through his long-term injury woe.

Dann has been out of action since New Year's Eve after tearing knee ligaments during a home defeat against Manchester City.

He had his first run-out of the season in a Palace XI friendly at Dulwich on Thursday where he got through the opening 45 minutes.

The 31-year-old says he found the mental toughness to get through what will be around a year on the sidelines by spending time with his wife and children.

"You have to be strong mentally. For me, it is not something I really struggle with," he told Football.London.

"As soon as I knew I was going to be out for so long, I just switched my brain off from it and focused on other stuff.

"I have got a wife and two kids, so it is easy to take your mind away from it. But you still have to go in every day and make sure you are putting in the hard work to try and come back fitter and stronger than you were before the injury."

The former Blackburn Rovers star, who is aiming for a first-team recall by the end of the year, also heaped praise on Eagles boss Roy Hodgson.

"The manager has always asked how I have been and how I have been coming along, which is nice," he said. "He has seen how hard I have worked, first in, last out every day for the last nine or 10 months to get back as soon as I have.

"But at the same time, he has said to me come back when you are ready – and that takes the pressure off a bit.

"It has been a long road, it tests your character, and I wouldn't say it was easy. But when you take football away, I have got a good family and friends around me and that makes it a lot easier."