MARTIN ASPINWALL has responded to the news he might be sidelined for a year by declaring: “I’ll return a better player!’’

The Giants’ Great Britain winger underwent a major knee reconstruction on Friday after suffering the injury against Warrington 11 days ago and has already begun a lengthy rehabilitation programme.

He has been warned it could take him up to 12 months to make a full recovery.

But the 25-year-old, left, is determined to prove the medical experts wrong and return ahead of schedule and stronger than ever.

“I snapped both cruciate ligaments and my medial ligament, and my surgeon said it was one of the worst cases he had seen,” said Aspinwall.

“He did tell me it could be up to 12 months before I could play again, but I know that’s the worse-case scenario. I intend to be back before then.

“And when I do, I know I’ll come back a stronger player, both physically and mentally.

“I saw how strong Michael De Vere came back from a similar injury when he was with us the other year, and I intend to do the same.

“I’ve now started my rehab and will make sure I look after myself as well as I can.

“I obviously can’t control the injury, but I can control the way I train and work while I’m on the sidelines.

“It’s already my intention to use this to my advantage and become a stronger player.’’