Emmanuel Frimpong wants to return to full fitness soon

Midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong is determined to fully recover from a second cruciate knee ligament injury which has kept him out for months.

The injury-prone hard-man feels confident he will return the same player despite fears the injuries could put his future as a footballer in doubt.

Frimpong first sustained a cruciate knee injury in the summer of 2010 which kept him out of action for nine months before suffering another anterior cruciate ligament injury while on loan at Wolves in February this year.

However, the 20-year-old is keen to allay fears over his long-term fitness and is working hard to bounce back from the injury setbacks.

Frimpong told Sky Sports News: “When I had the first one [knee injury] people were telling me it takes ages to get back playing at the level I was playing at before and when I came back with Arsenal I think I showed everyone I was still the same player and hopefully I can come back this time and show everyone I am still the same player again.”

Frimpong’s current injury is not as serious as the first and he admits having fellow injured teammates Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna with him in recovery has kept his spirits high.

He added: “It is not as serious as the other one, similar, but hopefully I can do my gym work and hopefully I get back on to the pitch and start playing again.

“It is bad that I am injured but I am in the gym with Jack [Wilshere], he has great banter and we have got Sagna as well so I have got great company and it makes things go faster for me.”