HEARTBROKEN Peter Duffield admitted he feared another season-long spell on the sidelines after learning he had fractured his leg for a second time in a year.

As first revealed in the Evening Press, the York City hit man sustained a hairline fracture of his right leg in an accidental training ground collision.

Duffield, who was fighting his way back to full fitness after suffering a double break of the same leg almost a year ago, now faces another four months out of action.

But buoyed by a confidence booster from York surgeon Mr Gibbon - the 31-year-old is vowing to fight-back again from his latest body blow and has already returned to the gym in a bid to maintain his fitness.

"I'm pig sick," Duffield said.

"To get so close and then that to happen...it killed me watching the game against Crewe on Tuesday night

"Against Rushden and Diamonds I was on the bench and I remember I saw all my family during the warm-up and never have I been so happy to be a substitute because I was there.

"I had been out for such a long time and was getting closer to starting and then to have to sit there on Tuesday night hit me really bad.

"I remembered how happy I was against Rushden and Diamonds and I just felt depressed.

"I didn't get much sleep that night."

Duffield added: "It was good news when Mr Gibbon told me I would only be out until Christmas because I did fear the worst.

"But I have total trust in what Mr Gibbon says. He was spot on with my last break and I have no reason to doubt him.

"He doesn't think I will struggle to get right and that is positive news."

With that sort of backing, Duffield is adamant Christmas is a realistic target for him to return to playing.

"It is not as serious as the last time and being as it is I am able to keep myself fit.

"Last time I had surgery to have some pins inserted and I had to recover from that first. I don't have that problem now.

"If I have got a chance to be right I will be.

"I am down hearted but it won't break me because I have been brought up to fight."

Updated: 09:19 Friday, August 24, 2001