Manchester City's newfound talisman Ilkay Gundogan has revealed his career at the highest level was almost brought to an agonising end due to a serious back injury.
Gundogan, 30, is perhaps in the form of his life, having netted 11 Premier League goals this season, but almost found his lofty aspirations derailed back in 2013.
The midfielder was forced to miss over a year - and has claimed his surgeon wanted to fit a screw in his back that may have forced him off the elite stage for good.
He told The Guardian: 'I was out for 14 months but the worst part was that no one really knew what kind of injury it was.