The Blackpool striker Billy Clarke has spoken of his devastation at being ruled out for much of the coming season.
The 22-year-old ruptured a cruciate ligament during a pre-season friendly and is now likely to miss the Tangerines' first campaign in the English Premier League.
Clarke has already had an operation to repair a cartilage and will undergo full reconstructive surgery in the coming weeks.
The Irishman told the club's website, www.blackpoolfc.co.uk: "The few days after I found out, you could have put me on anti-depressants and it still wouldn't have worked.
"It is heartbreaking to know that but I am not the only person it has happened to and I know I will be strong enough to come back.
"Hopefully, if it is not this season, Blackpool will stay up and I will be able to play in the Premier League another time."
Clarke suffered the injury just two minutes into Blackpool's first summer friendly against Tiverton Town on July 16.
He has set no target for a return but knows that with the new 25-man squad regulations coming into force, he may not be registered to play.
Blackpool do not currently have 25 players to register but manager Ian Holloway is trying to bolster his limited ranks before the season begins.
"In this day and age I think it is pretty much a standard operation because there have been so many of them," Clarke said.
"Without complications it is six to nine months. Hopefully I can get back as soon as I can but I don't want to rush it.
"I have had a couple of minor knee injuries and that was nothing. This is the whole hog and I am disappointed it has come at this time, but I just have to get on with it."
* PA Sport
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if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
