Chelsea winger Damien Duff admits he took a "big risk" with his fitness in ignoring specialist advice telling him to have an operation on his shoulder injury.
Duff, who dislocated his shoulder against Fulham on December 20th, returned to action in Chelsea's midweek FA Cup third-round replay against Watford as a substitute.
The Republic of Ireland international is now hoping that his injury problems are behind him as he approaches Sunday's Barclaycard Premiership game against Birmingham.
But while he has been taking part in judo sessions to strengthen his shoulder, the club's record £17 million sterling signing acknowledges he did take a gamble in not having surgery.
He said: "When I first went to the specialist he wanted me to have an operation. But that would have put me out of action for three months, and I didn't want to do it because I would have been missing too much football.
"So I took a big risk by not getting it done. But I've been working hard with [fitness coach] Roberto Sassi, and it's good to be back. I felt a bit nervous before I went on against Watford after being out for three or four weeks but it went well and it was good to get that under my belt.
"My shoulder is still weak, but I've been doing some judo to practise my rolls and falling on it. I've been trying everything really. I'm going to see another specialist now and I've been keeping on top of things."
PA