Jack Butland feared his career was over following the ankle injury that kept him out for over a year.
The Stoke goalkeeper is back in the England squad for the first time since suffering a broken ankle while playing for his country against Germany in March 2016.
Butland required three operations on his ankle before finally making his return to action for the Potters against Swansea on April 22.
And the keeper has revealed the possibility of never playing again crossed his mind, saying: 'Being out for so long makes you stronger.