Ribbing at West Brom is helping Chris Brunt

Brunt knew as soon as his knee gave way in last month's game against Crystal Palace that his first, and potentially only, chance of playing in a major tournament was in serious danger.

His worst fears were confirmed a day later, but telling his family proved emotionally straining. Phone calls were cut short.

Gareth McAuley – Brunt's room-mate when the Albion pair travel away with Northern Ireland – responded to the crushing news with a typical joke.

He asked his friend if he could play 30 minutes the following weekend. It was exactly the sort of response Brunt needed.

Those first few days after the injury were tough, but dealing with the news has got easier since he's returned to the training ground.

Brunt said: "Being around the lads helps because you tend to get very little sympathy around a football club

"You don't want to be the one sitting in the corner with everybody feeling sorry for you.

"It's not the way I like to deal with things anyway, so coming in and having lads taking the mickey out of you does help.

"I know it sounds daft but it keeps you going, because it's normality.

"The end of May and June will be difficult, because there will probably just be me in the training ground. That will probably be when it's toughest."

Brunt's 12-year international career had been building up to this point.

But forever the model professional, he answers all questions posed to him with honesty and a dose of that humour that has helped him through the pain.

He plans to go to France in the summer but hasn't figured out exactly what role he'll have there.

He said: "I'd like to go out and experience it in some shape or form, I'll think about it closer to the time.

"Obviously, come kick-off time in the game, it's going to be difficult to watch without being involved.

"But there are a lot of lads who travelled all around Europe with us last year and never kicked a ball during qualifying.

"They supported us, so the least I can do is go out and support the lads who will be playing in the games."

Brunt's early stages of rehabilitation are going well and how long he can stay in France depends largely on the programme Albion's medical staff have him on at the time.

Watching Northern Ireland may be tough, but he's been warming up at the Hawthorns.

He said: "I have been to our games. I went to the Manchester United game and the Norwich game. My little lad has started to get into football, so I am taking him to keep him interested."

He's already looking toward the future and hoping to come back stronger than before. I'll get to spend a lot of time in the gym.

"I'm sure that will be the case for me too, and towards the start of next season I'll be stronger and, hopefully, pushing to get back on to the pitch."