Maz Kouhyar: Walsall injury woes have made me stronger

The 19-year-old enjoyed a fairytale start to the 2016/17 campaign with boss Jon Whitney handing him his first-team debut against Chesterfield back in August.

That led to the winger coming to the attention of the Afghanistan national team, who called him up for a friendly against Malaysia in October.

But while away on international duty, the youngster picked up a serious knee injury that kept him sidelined for three months. And Kouhyar said the experience was a lesson in how quickly things can change in football.

“For me it was a good and a bad season,” he said. “I learned a lot and towards the start I was put into the first team early, and I got my international call-up as well.

“But then I got my injury and that made me much mentally stronger. To deal with that is quite hard. I tore my lateral meniscus and that was meant to keep me out for 10 weeks, but after that there were more problems.

“I was coming out with swelling and things like that and my knee had to get used to playing again.

“After that I got myself fitter and stronger so, to be fair, it was a good season for me.”

After picking up his injury, Kouhyar became determined to use his time on the sidelines as a positive.

“You learn a lot about things like maintaining your body – every morning doing bikes, stretches and certain exercises to keep your body ticking over,” he continued.

“It helped a lot. Dieting too – when you’re not playing football you have to keep to a certain diet to make sure you don’t put on weight.

“I learned a lot in that. Football changes so quick because before my injury I was feeling on top of the world. After that I wasn’t even touching a ball – it’s a big contrast.

Now back fit, the youngster admits he can’t wait for the new season.

“At the end of last season we won the Walsall Senior Cup and I got that one senior appearance as well,” Kouhyar added.

“That gives you that little taste of what I can bring next season.”