DAN Mooney is set for surgery on his ACL following his injury in the game against Darlington.
Mooney was forced off early in the tie against the Quakers, with scans later confirming the serious knee injury which will ultimately end the popular player’s season, his second injury setback of the term.
Boss Adam Murray confirmed the former Southend man was being well supported at such a challenging time and will continue to be so.
“Obviously it’s tough for him and tough for us,” Murray said. “He’s just getting his head around it now, and the boys have been getting around him and giving him the support he needs. He’s in for his operation on 1st December, I think it is, so we’ll get that done.
“The club have been brilliant looking after him. It’s unfortunate, but it’s football, isn’t it? Sometimes these things happen.”
Mooney had already battled back from injury on the opening day to put together a strong run of personal form for Harriers in recent weeks, proving a handful for opposition defences.
The rest of the boys will now do their bit for him, however. Murray outlined the importance of supporting Mooney not only through the physical process but the mental challenges that accompany a long term layoff.
“When players are on the pitch, they’re all humans and they all have emotional sides to them, whether it’s good or bad,” he added. “With a long term injury it’s more mental than physical. The injury will be repaired, it’s the tough time mentally that you have to go through.
“We have to make sure we support Dan with that and make sure he stays strong. Nine times out of ten, when people go through these injuries, they come back stronger because it makes them more resilient, mentally and physically.”
Mooney will undergo his operation at the start of December, after which the long recovery process will begin. Murray stressed confidence that the forward’s professionalism and character will serve him well.
“I’ve said to Dan that the bigger picture is positive, he’ll come back better for it,” he continued. “We’ll make sure as a football club we pull him through that.
“With the actual injury, you’re normally stronger in that area, so it works out a positive. But it’s a lot of hard work.
"He knows there will be some tough moments, but he’s got a good support system around him and we’ll make sure he’s good.”
Get well soon, Moons!