ON THE mend Peter Duffield is emerging from an angst-ridden few weeks stronger than ever after admitting for the first time he contemplated hanging up his boots.

A heartbroken Duffield told the Evening Press last month he feared another season long-spell on the sidelines after learning he had fractured his leg for a second time in a year.

But speaking today, the former Darlington hitman confessed he even feared his career was over.

"When I was first told I'd broken it again I wanted to pack in, I thought that was it. I didn't think I could cope with going through everything again," he said.

However, the 32-year-old, buoyed by an operation to remove screws in his leg and driven by an iron-will to succeed, is now fighting back.

Although he has yet to start pounding the treadmill, Duffield is a regular at a gymnasium near his home and is already pepping up his fitness levels with sessions on the exercise bikes and cross trainers.

"When I was then told I would be out only until Christmas that gave me some hope," he said.

"What I'm doing at the gym is obviously not football training and it won't keep up my match fitness, but it means when I do start running I won't be a million miles away."

Duffield added: "I've got my head around what has happened now and things are definitely looking better.

"And certainly, when you see what has happened in America or think what happened to Tom Staniforth at Sheffield Wednesday you realise things are not so bad.

"I've injured my leg, but my family aren't grieving for me. It does put everything into perspective."

Duffield, who was fighting his way back to full fitness after suffering a double break of the same leg almost a year ago, sustained a hairline fracture of his right leg in an accidental training ground collision.

On the mend, he is still looking at a return to action around Christmas time and admits the painful memories of last year's double break were an added spur.

He said: "After four weeks last time around I was still in pot.

"I am miles and miles ahead of that this time and I am feeling better every day."

Giving fresh impetus in his quest to bounce back, Duffield revealed three screws left over from last season's injury have now been removed from his leg.

"I have a pin running all the way down my leg and the screws were at the bottom of the ankle," he explained.

"They were going to be left in because everything was going well.

"But the new fracture cut across one of the screws and it was thought that might stop the leg healing.

"It was better to have them taken out.

"It certainly feels a lot better and it feels like the ankle belongs to me again."

Further underlining his renewed determination, Duffield is hoping to get along to games at Bootham Crescent soon.

Heartbroken in the aftermath of last month's crushing news, Duffield decided to stay away citing watching was proving to painful.

"I stopped watching football for a bit but I've got the bug again now.

"The truth is I sit in on Saturday and sit glued to the television watching the results coming in.

"Once I can start driving long distances again I'll be coming to the games."

Updated: 09:45 Thursday, September 13, 2001