AMID all the present concern about the injury crisis which has affected Charlton during the opening months of the season, two names which tend to be ignored forgotten almost are Eddie Youds and Clive Mendonca.

The pair last appeared in the first team an incredible 22 months ago, suffering serious injuries within a week of each other in December 1999.

Yet in a strange twist of fate, both are now back in action together at the same time, appearing for the reserves in a 1-0 win against West Ham United recently.

Youds said: "There's no question it's been tough, but I'm quite mentally strong, and I coped with the time out by thinking of my goal at the end of it all. I was determined to play for Charlton again."

The central defender (above right) was injured making a challenge against Huddersfield's Marcus Stewart and suffered a ruptured patella on his left knee the second time he had severely injured the same knee.

Youds added: "I didn't know if I would be out for 12 months or if I'd ever play again. My knee needed a big operation and the surgeon said it was a bit of a mess when he opened it up.

"It's been a really low point of my life, but I never once thought I would have to quit the game. My family's been there for me, my girlfriend's been great and I've been brilliantly supported by the physio team and the other players. I don't

really like watching matches when I'm not playing, but I've always felt part of the club."

The 31-year-old played 90 minutes for the first time in almost two years against West Ham, and he admitted he was slightly apprehensive before the game.

"I've been back in full training for about four or five weeks now, but although I'd obviously made tackles, players don't tackle so hard in training. The only way to really tell is by playing a match.

"I was really relieved to come through it fine. My next step is not overdo the training and then force my way back into the side."

Mendonca (pictured left) also played in the 1-0 win for the second XI, but despite an injury nightmare that has lasted as long as Youds', his situation has been dramatically different.

The match saw Mendonca's third or fourth comeback after the past two seasons after suffering a series of hip and back problems, which led to rumours he was retiring last season.

After a successful operation to remove a cyst on his hip though, and another slight knee operation which aborted his planned comeback at the start of this season, the 33-year-old is now raring to string together a sequence of matches.

"It's been frustrating," said Clive. "But like Eddie, I've always known I'd play again. The retiring thing was ridiculous, and now it's just a matter of working hard in training and trying to impress the management to earn a recall to the first-team squad."

After the injury hell that has affected the Addicks at the start of the season, Alan Curbishley must be ready to welcome both players back with open arms.

November 6, 2001 10:06