Ashbee's comeback aim

Ian Ashbee is vowing to prove the doubters wrong by coming back stronger than ever from the knee injury that threatened his career.

The Hull City captain has heard all of the rumours regarding a premature retirement at 33, but he refuses to let them get him down.

Ashbee is convinced he is over the worse after an uncertain summer that saw the return of osteochondral condition which three years ago put a question mark against his ability to walk again.

The Tigers midfielder admits the thought of not being able to run around and play with his children was his main worry and not the prospect of having to hang up his boots.

Ashbee told the News of the World, "My three-year-old boy Stanley is mad about playing football.

"The decision would have been about quality of life or playing football for a couple of seasons. It's a no-brainer. There would have been no question about playing on.

"You see these old players walking around with arthritis. It's scandalous. I don't want that. I did think 'Why me?' but I always believe worse things happen in this world. There are a lot of people worse off.

"You wonder if it is a sign that you you should stop. You don't want your knee swelling up every time you do something with your children. When you finish football, you still have more than half of your life to live. If it had been to the detriment of my health, I would have had to think about my future."

The club have put their faith in Ashbee's ability to return by awarding him with a new contract after a successful operation by Dr Richard Steadman, the man who has twice helped team-mate Jimmy Bullard to full fitness.

Ashbee added: "I've come back from the best surgeon in the world.

"He said it will be fine and he's not one for false promises. I will be back running in January or February and I will play again this season.

"I'm not angry about people saying I won't come back - but they are wrong."