SPECIALISTS say it can take a year for a footballer to return to action after a knee reconstruction.

So while he would love to have been on the pitch against Carlisle United last Saturday, simply sitting on the bench 10 and a half months on from his surgery was a bonus for Tom Clarke.

The clash with the Cumbrians had a special significance for the 19-year-old England age-group international and younger brother of fellow Town centre-back Nathan.

For it was in that fixture on October 14 last season that he suffered the injury to his left knee which left him facing a trip to the operating theatre.

While Town were beaten 2-0 this time around, they won the game when Clarke was carried off, with Luke Beckett netting both goals in a 2-1 victory.

The striker’s contribution was particularly meaningful for the teenage defender, because Beckett had also had a knee reconstruction and returned as strong as ever.

Others to have had the same surgery include former Town centre-back Martin McIntosh, now at Mansfield, and Galpharm coach Martyn Booty.

The three formed a support network to help Clarke through some tough times, and the player, who continued on the comeback trail by playing for the Reserves against Port Vale on Wednesday, is grateful.

“A lot of people have helped me, first and foremost my parents,” explains Clarke, who made his first-team debut at MK Dons in February 2005 and was making his 41st appearance against Carlisle last season..

“It’s been hard for them, because with Nathan also missing a large part of last season because of problems with his (right) knee, they’ve had to put up with the pair of us moping around.

“Nathan has also done his bit to help me, and Luke, Tosh and Boots have been great.

“They must have got fed up with me asking questions and advice, but they’ve been really supportive all the way through, and even though Tosh has left the club, he still texts and rings me regularly to see how things are progressing.”

Clarke has also had regular meetings with the surgeon who repaired the damaged joint, and he eased worries which arose when pain was suffered at various times during rehabilitation.

“It’s a long, hard road, and often a lonely one,” says the Halifax-born Academy product.

“A lot of the work is done alone, and it often feels like it’s just you in a room with no windows slogging away on a running or rowing machine.

“When you get some pain, you tend to worry that there’s been a setback, but the prof reassured me that it was only to be expected.”

Clarke, who during his spell on the sidelines signed a new two-year Town contract with an option for a further 12 months, still wears a protective bandage after physical activity, but it’s only a precaution.

“I’m feeling fit and strong and ready for first-team action,” he adds.

“We did some running on the pitch after last Saturday’s game, and I felt great.

“I’ve never rushed anything during my rehab, and there have been times when I’ve sat out training sessions just to be on the safe side.

“Then, when I got back into playing games, I took it steady as well, having 10 or 15 minutes in the early friendlies and gradually building up my time on the pitch.”

Clarke’s first full 90 came in the Reserve game at Shrewsbury 12 days ago, and he completed another entire game for the seconds against Port Vale on Wednesday.

“It was a big boost for me at Shrewsbury, particularly because the gaffer had a word with me afterwards and said I was right back in the frame,” says Clarke.

“I’d been on the bench for the first-team game at Bournemouth, and while it was a bit of an emergency because we were missing a few key men, it was still good to know Andy Ritchie had that faith in me.

“It was a strange situation for me when he first arrived in April, because I couldn’t take part in any training sessions.

“But he was great in making sure I still felt a part of things, and now my challenge is to show him I’m worth a place in the first team.”

Clarke, who has two England Under 19 caps to go with those he won at Under 18 level, is also eager to earn further international recognition, and has been encouraged by phone calls from coach Brian Eastick.

“It was great to get that call and nice to know I haven’t been forgotten,” adds Clarke.

“I’d love to be involved again, but first things first, I have to get back into the team here before I think about anything else.”