There is no avoiding the fact that Sean Morrison’s Rotherham United stay so far hasn’t gone the way that he’d have liked.
The experienced defender walked away from the comfortable surrounds of Cardiff City where he had spent just shy of nine years as he looked to reignite his career following his recovery from an ACL injury that had sidelined him for a considerable period of time.
The 32-year-old was one of seven January signings and took to life in South Yorkshire like a duck to water, starring in the heart of the defence in solid performances against Blackburn Rovers and Watford.
However, football can be a cruel game and fate did not read the script for Morrison’s heroic comeback, as he suffered a nasty muscle injury in a routine training session – which looks set to rule him out for the remainder of the season.
In spite of all of the above, the defender - who has Premier League experience and was a regular with the captain’s armband during his time with the Bluebirds – is keen to contribute to Matt Taylor’s men's race for survival in any way he can.
"Obviously I can't physically affect anything on the pitch, so at the minute it is just about trying to support the boys throughout the week in training and be as good a character as I can around the place,” Morrison told www.themillers.co.uk.
"That's my job now to be as big a cheerleader for the lads as I can.
"That's easy to do when the team is winning but I've got to contribute when we have tough results and help to pick boys back up.
"I spoke to the Gaffer and that's what he wants me to do. I would obviously much rather be out there playing and helping in that way, but I totally recognise the important job I have in the changing room now.”
The dressing room chemistry at Roundwood has been well-documented over recent years, with the club’s training base always providing a positive atmosphere in which the players and staff can flourish.
‘Moz’, as he is affectionately known to his teammates, has been a shining example of that attitude by continuing to come into work with a smile on his face and an encouraging aura as he looks to play his part despite his injury blow.
"I'm a firm believer in the fact that you can't throw your toys out the pram, you can't moan or sulk,” the defender continued.
"Once the injury happens, you've just got to get over it as quickly as possible because it won't benefit myself, the boys, the staff, or anyone else if I'm moping around and feeling sorry for myself.
"I'll always try to keep good spirits, do my rehab as best I can, and if I can influence the group in areas other than the pitch then I certainly will.
"I've been in the game a long time, and I'm not going to change for anyone. I'm going to be the best version of myself around the boys to help the situation we're in.
"I'm a Rotherham United player and I whilst I am disappointed to be injured, that's one of those things that you have to get over and move on from. This is my football club up until the end of the season and I want us to succeed as much as anybody else does."
"If I can make even a slight beneficial impact by being around the group then I definitely will. That will come from changing room banter, keeping spirits high and that's what I'll do.
There is still clearly a lot of hard yards and tough days on the agenda for the determined Morrison as he looks to once again work his way back to full fitness, but having proven he is capable of getting stuck into rehab programmes on a number of occasions throughout his long and successful career, the Plymouth-born operator is not daunted by the task which lies ahead.
"I've had injuries throughout my whole career and I know I've got to look after my body and recover. The injury I came back from last year was definitely the worst I've had, but my road to recovery from that taught me a lot about myself, and my body,” Morrison explained.
"My recovery this time gives me an opportunity to strengthen in areas that I was already strengthening in post-ACL injury.
"I know I can come back better, I know I can improve my physical abilities over the next few months during rehab.
"I'll be at every home game we play, as far as I'm concerned, I'm a Rotherham United football player. I'll be there on Saturday supporting the boys, just as I will be on Tuesday. I'll be in the changing room celebrating if we win, and picking them up if we lose.”